The osprey, or fish hawk, feeds exclusively on live fish. They have distinctive dark brown patches at the bend of each wing and dark brown stripes through the eyes. Females are larger than males, as is true of most birds of prey. Their habitats include shallow water estuaries, lakes, and rivers. Foraging During spring and summer, ospreys find an abundance of medium-sized fish on the Chesapeake to feed their young.
Males typically forage far and wide for food, whereas females stay on the nest, or nearby.
Ospreys hunt by soaring over water, periodically hovering on beating wings to scan for surface schooling or spawning fish. On breezy days, they let the wind keep them aloft as they search for fish. Cloudy conditions with rippled water lessen the osprey's fishing success, which can jeopardize hungry nestlings. Upon sight of its prey, the osprey makes a spectacular dive. Folding its wings tightly, it descends swiftly and plunges feet first into the water, often submerging completely.