Ospreys are large, fish-eating, birds of prey. They are commonly confused with bald eagles because of their white heads. To aid in identification, look for the osprey's dark band across its face and the osprey's white belly. Osprey pairs usually expand and repair the same nest year after year. An osprey family in their nest.
Female osprey incubates the eggs with occasional help from the male.
Once the eggs hatch, the male does all the fishing for about 6 weeks, after which both parents fish to feed the young chicks. Chicks leave the nest about 8 weeks after hatching. An immature bald eagle along the Chokoloskee Bay. Immature eagles are dark in color until they are between 3 and 5 years old and get their white heads and tail feathers. Young eagles leave the nest about 10 weeks after hatching.