Bird Gallery Index

Osprey image © Bill Duke

Family: (Accipitridae) Hawks and Allies

Preferred Habitat: Close to water.

Seasonal Occurrence: Uncommon fall through spring. Rare in summer. Occasional nester.

Notes: Ospreys are more common along the coast than inland. They feed almost exclusively on live fish. Both sexes have a speckled brown necklace on a white breast, but that of the female is darker and browner. Ospreys build their nests in tall trees and will readily make use of artificial nesting platforms, telephone poles, channel markers and other structures. If no nesting sites are found close to water, they are known to build nests at a considerable distance from water. Ospreys suffered a population collapse because of DDT, but numbers have rebounded. Artificial nesting platforms have played a major role in their resurgence. Ospreys may be spotted along Houston's bayous within the city limits. San Jacinto Battleground State Park is one of many good locations to look for them.
- Susan Billetdeaux