From October to April, the migratory osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is drawn to Trinidad and Tobago during winter for the country’s warmth and local seafood.
Conservationist Ricardo Meade told Newsday Kids, “Right now, we are nice and warm down here while North America is experiencing winter.
“So it’s very cold in many parts and they won’t be able to hunt as easily, so they come down here where it’s warm and they are able to get food.
“They migrate from all over North America. For example, some will stay in Florida then move through Central America to South America.
“Since we are so close to Venezuela, some will then fly over to Trinidad.”
While migratory birds are often known to migrate in flocks, Meade said ospreys migrate individually.
[caption id="attachment_945673" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ospreys face the risk of electrocution when they go on electricity wires to eat. - Photo courtesy Ricardo Meade[/caption]
Despite spending several months in TT, ospreys return to North America to nest.
Conservationists and researchers in TT are able to track which parts of North America ospreys come from because they are tagged with metal ID bands on their legs by bird banding programmes in the US. These bands allow the birds’ movements to be tracked.
Nicknamed the “fish hawk,” ospreys have a special fishing technique which they use to catch a variety of local fish like cutlass fish, mullet and catfish.
Meade explained, “They fly over bodies of water and when they spot a fish in the water – from up to 60 feet in the air – they would plunge head first towards it.
“But just before they get to the water, they would change their orientation putting their legs forward and their talons to grab the fish in the water.”
If you’ve ever tried taking a fish of water, you may realise they are slippery and can easily slip out of your hands.
To prevent this from happening, the osprey’s talons – hooked claws at the end of the toes – are round which allows them to easily hook into their catch.
The bottom of their feet are also very rough like sandpaper to give them a good grip.
“They get a good grip on the fish, sink their talons further in and then they flap their powerful wings to fly out of the water with the fish held in their talons.
[caption id="attachment_945672" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A rescued osprey eats breakfast at the El Socorro Centre for Wildlife Conservation. - Photo courtesy Ricardo Meade[/caption]
“When they get into the air, it’s very difficult for any bird to fly like that but the osprey has very large wings and special power which enables it to come out of the water with a fish.”
An osprey’s wingspan can reach five feet and the shape of its wings while flying is one of its most identifiable characteristics.
Ospreys help regulate fish population, so they serve a key role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
“The osprey would help remove old or infirm fish from the ecosystem, the same way a shark would help remove them. So, they help control the slower and less efficien
