Western Osprey

Characteristics

A bird that is so good at catching fish that it is also called a "fish falcon". It is characterized by a white head and belly and a short tail compared to its long wings. Seen from below in flight, it looks whitish and elongated. The head appears whitish even when it is perched on a tree branch or telephone pole with its wings closed. A brown eye line runs from the eyes to the neck. The legs are gray and strong. They are distinguished from the hawk family by the spines they use to catch fish and the inverted first toe. Together with the hawk family, they form the superfamily hawk superfamily.

Ecology

They often appear in places where there are fish and the water surface is calm, such as coasts, estuaries, and large lakes. Hover in the air to take aim, then swoop down to catch fish on the water's surface. In rare cases, they also eat reptiles and birds. It can hold relatively large fish with both feet. They usually fly slowly using their long wings. In early summer, they breed by laying eggs in nests built on trees or on rocks. Matures 3 years after fledging.

Habitat

I found it in a river near the sea in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It was perched on a utility pole several hundred meters away, and upon closer inspection I realized that it was an osprey with a white head. It seemed to be aiming for prey in a river with almost no current. After a while, it flew away and calmly passed in front of me and left for the mountains. It flapped its long, thin wings slowly. I could compare the size difference when it chased and threatened a carrion crow a bit.