Did you know.... Both ospreys will tend to the eggs, although the female does most of the incubation. The male is the sole food supplier once the eggs are laid. Learn more about osprey breeding and nests...

The Wings of the Osprey With a wingspan of at least 50 inches and a maximum of about 6 feet, the osprey is a powerful and dramatic sight in the air. Although nearly the size of an eagle, with which it is often confused, the osprey can be distinguished by a bend in the wing, which forms a "V" when in flight. The wing of an osprey contains more feathers than other large predatory birds, and the wings are longer and thinner than the wings of other raptors. The four longest feathers, the primaries at the end of the wing, are notched. The length, high arch and heavy feathering contribute to the enormous strength of the osprey's wings. These factors give the osprey much more power than most other large raptors, and allow it to catch and carry much larger prey. The wings are generally dark above, a mix of light and dark underneath with a pronounced stripe on the underside feathers. Immature ospreys also have a distinct white tip on most of the feathers. For more information on ospreys, click on the pictures below. General Info || Legs & Foot || Eyes || Beak & Mouth Wings || Plumage || Feeding || Young Chicks || Breeding & Nests Terms of Use - Copyright 2009 Central Vermont Public Service Copyright 2002-2003 photos CVPS, Gustav W. Verderber, Floyd Scholz and Department of Fish & Wildlife Web related issues