How does an osprey take care of its young?

NestingOspreys build large nests near water, on top of dead trees or artificial structures that are similar to dead trees, such as utility or nesting poles. Nests are made of branches, sticks, and twigs, lined with smaller twigs, grasses, bark, moss, fish bones, and other material. They will reuse nests year after year and continue to add sticks each year, ending up with a huge nest. Nests may be more than seven feet across and over five feet deep. The female typically lays 3 eggs, although clutch sizes between 2 and 4 eggs are normal. Both members of the pair incubate the eggs for 38-43 days. After the young hatch, the female stays with them, and the male brings food. Once the young can be left alone, both parents provide food. The young do not fledge until they are 44-59 days old.

Reproduction

Osprey breed about once per year. Their eggs are a creamy colour with brownish-red spots. The female sits on the eggs most of the time, leaving only to fish, at which point the male will take over. After hatching, the male will do all the fishing for 6 weeks to feed the hungry, growing chicks. After 10 weeks, the young birds will have all their feathers and will begin to fledge. Some studies show that osprey can live up to 30 years.