Although we experienced an intense snowstorm in the high country and an accumulation of slush in the valleys, the spring days are delightful. The osprey are back, buttercups are blooming, and the air is crisp, clear and heavy with the scent of cedar.
Handsome Fish Hunters - Osprey In Montana
By: Marlene Affeld
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), when hunting on the wing, seem to glide effortlessly over the water. Smaller than an eagle, an osprey is still an impressive raptor. With wingspans of up to 72 inches and up to 24 inches in length and a weight of almost 5 pounds, the osprey is a wonderful addition to Montana’s rich abundance of bird life.
Handsome fish hunters, the osprey has a distinctive white head and belly with rich, dark brown feathers gracing its back. The under side of the wings are also snow-white except for dark patches and barred-brown flight feathers. Ospreys vocalize with a series of piercing whistles and chirps that become more intense if the nest is approached. Osprey nest just about anywhere in close proximity to water that provides safety and an abundance of food.
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