May 6, 2016
Ospreys
Wow, how lucky are we?
Over the past several years, it’s gotten increasingly easier to witness one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles: the majestic sight of bald eagles soaring overhead. Improved water quality in the Fox River as well as other habitat-saving measures have given these magnificent creatures exactly what they need: tall trees for nests and roosts; the space they need to fly free; and of course fresh fish (along with occasional waterfowl and carrion) to eat.
But while I don’t want to discourage anyone from admiring a bald eagle—they are, after all, our nation’s symbol—there’s another bird that I feel deserves at least as much respect as eagles. It, too, lives right here in the Fox Valley. In fact, it’s sometimes even mistaken for an eagle.
Folks, meet the osprey, Pandion haliaetus.
Like eagles, ospreys are large birds that inhabit areas along waterways. But unlike eagles, which vary their diet based on availability of prey, and even have been observed snacking on roadkill, osprey feed almost exclusively on fish.
And why wouldn’t they? Their bodies are exquisitely adapted for capturing wet, slippery prey. Their keen eyesight allows them to spot fish in the water. Their lightweight bodies (ospreys weigh in at 2 ½-4 ½ lbs., as much as 10 lbs. less than a bald eagle) allow them to hover and dive, while oil-preened feathers resist getting waterlogged. In the blink of an eye, literally, their talons reflexively snap closed as they make contact with a fish, and small spikes on the bottoms of their feet ensure prey doesn’t slip away once caught.
So equipped, osprey claim one of the highest hunting success rates among birds of prey. Some studies have recorded figures as high as 90%. Anyone who’s ever gone fishing can appreciate that impressive tally. Imagine casting 10 times, and catching nine fish. (Even our most common birds of prey, the red-tailed hawks and great-horned owls, typically average a 60% prey-capture rate. And that’s for adults. Young birds, still refining their skills, sometimes take 10 or more tries to catch one meal.)
Ospreys typically nest farther north of us and so are considered endangered in Illinois. However, a state-led reintroduction program combined with local conservation efforts are working to make the osprey a more common sight. A few years ago a pair was spotted nesting near James Pate Phillip State Park, located on Stearns Road in Bartlett, and Fermilab now has three nests occupied by breeding pairs.
If you’d like to spot an osprey for yourself, Fermi is a good bet, but don’t rule out the Fox River. The birds can sometimes be seen flying along the waterway, especially now and in fall as they migrate to and from breeding grounds. Look for a large but narrow-bodied bird with light underparts and a white head sporting a conspicuous “bandit mask” across the eyes. Their outstretched wings are distinctive too, with a bend or crook midway that gives the birds a vaguely M-shaped form; eagles, by contrast, are heavier bodied, with dark underparts and straight wings.
One of my favorite osprey memories—besides, as a kid, watching them from the porch of the family cabin in Michigan’s U.P.—took place a few years ago during a program called Birding by Boat. Several dozen nature lovers had joined us that warm September afternoon, and as we chugged upstream aboard the Fox River Queen paddlewheel riverboat, none of us could quite believe how perfect the day had become. Turtles were basking on rocks and logs; a kingfisher cackled at us from the inlet near Ferson Creek Fen. A green darner dragonfly had landed on a railing and politely let us crowd around it, while great blue herons and great egrets waded in the shallows along the shoreline.
This action and more occurred against the greenish golden backdrop of late summer along the Fox. Remarking on the beauty that surrounded us, my friend and colleague Jeanette Joy said, “Gee, about the only thing that could make this any better would be to see an osprey.”
As if on cue, one appeared overhead. True to form, it was flying with a fish clasped in its talons. But rather than a native gamefish, this bird had gone for something a bit flashier: a bright orange goldfish. Oy!
One other place to see an osprey, for a limited time only, is Hickory Knolls. We have one in our freezer.
A series of circumstances we can only imagine recently led to an adult osprey turning up dead on a sidewalk at James O. Breen Community Park. Our horticulture and turf crews spotted it, and turf supervisor Bill Thomas brought it up to the nature. He pointed out that it had a broken wing. Head trauma, too, was noted.
Lisa O’Brien, our program coordinator, called in the band number and last week we received a certificate from the U.S. Geological Service providing additional information. The bird was banded on July 13, 2006, at Rice Lake in Minnesota. At that time, it was too young to fly, so we can figure that the bird was about 10 years old when it met its fate.
Because ospreys tend to remain loyal to their natal nesting area, we’re guessing that this bird was migrating through our area. Perhaps it was attracted to the retention ponds that dot the area along Peck and Campton Hills Roads. Maybe it caught something, but couldn’t lift itself high enough to clear the traffic. Its injuries are consistent with what we see with vehicle strikes.
At any rate, the bird may not have died in vain. Because of ospreys’ endangered status in Illinois, we can’t legally keep the bird in our possession. But the Illinois Department of Natural Resources can. Officials there are hoping to find the funds to have the bird taxidermied and placed on display at Conservation World, the agency’s exhibit area at the IL State Fair.
Fingers crossed, the funds will materialize in time and Osprey No. 0788-56085 can be put on display. In the coming years, instead of just a fortunate few, millions of people will get to see and learn about this spectacular species. How lucky they’ll be!
Pam Otto is the manager of nature programs and interpretive services at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, a facility of the St. Charles Park District. She can be reached at 630-513-4346 or potto@stcparks.org.
Improved water quality and other local conservation efforts mean more people might be lucky enough to spot an osprey.
(Photo provided by Robert Burton)