Osprey begin nesting in Vermont in late April. Chicks are able to fly from the nest after 7 to 8 weeks. Osprey begin returning to their wintering ground in Central America in September with the bulk of the birds having departed by the end of October. Unique Characteristics Osprey flight is characterized by a crooked bend in the wings making it one of the easier birds to identify in the air. They are often vocal, especially when defending their nest site.
Osprey have a unique way of carrying their food.
After grabbing the fish from the water they turn the fish so it faces the direction they are flying. This presumably allows the Osprey to fly more aerodynamically while carrying its prey. Problems Osprey populations throughout their breeding range suffered, like many other large birds of prey, from the introduction of DDT in the 1950's. DDT became concentrated in Osprey through the fish they ate. This resulted in the thinning of their eggs, which would subsequently break while being incubated.