The Osprey hunts by soaring over the water, then plunging in feet-first when it spots a fish. When the Osprey emerges from the water with its catch, it orients the head of the fish forward to reduce drag as it carries the fish to its nest or feeding perch. The Bald Eagle's habit of pirating fish from Ospreys has been well known for over 200 years. Each pair of Ospreys builds a large stick nest and may reuse it for many years. The birds bring new material each year, so old nests may weigh hundreds of pounds.
Some pairs have alternative nests among which they shift back and forth from year to year.
The clutch consists usually of three eggs, creamy white, and variably but heavily blotched dark. The incubation period is about 38 days, the nestling period 44 to 59 days. Usually only one or two of the young fledge successfully. Live fish almost exclusively. The species taken vary greatly by location but typically are 10 to 40 cm long and weigh under 1 kg.