Migratory Ospreys are found during the winter through Mexico,Central America, and South America. Ospreys are found year-round in Baja, Mexico, south Florida, and south Texas. In Minnesota they are common on northern lakes and along the St. Croix river during the summer. Recent reintroduction efforts have led to over a dozen pairs nesting in the Twin Cities area. They will also nest on cliffs.
Ospreys build a bulky nest of sticks similar to eagle nests.
In some places they nest in colonies, Ospreys lay 3-4 eggs which hatch in about 30 days. Almost exclusively a fish eater, Ospreys are noted for their feet first plunge into the water when cathcing fish. After catching a fish the bird carries it in a head first orientation as it flies back to the nest. One of the most difficult raptors to maintain in captivity, it is often very nervous and unwilling to eat. The Raptor Center has been involved in an effort to reintroduce Ospreys to the Twin Cities area since 1984.