Nest Camera Captures Birds Of Prey In Ferocious Battle For Fish

Ospreys, also known as fish eagles, are Canada's second largest bird, with a wing span almost six feet across. Second only to the bald eagle, they are a formidable predator and an impressive sight. They return to the same nest each year to mate, lay eggs, and raise their young. Ospreys nest in areas around open water in order to find fish, their staple food source. With keen eyesight and razor sharp talons, ospreys can spot fish at the surface and then swoop out of the sky to capture them. Barbs on their talons prevent the fish from wriggling free, but these barbs also make it impossible for the osprey to release their grip while in flight. An osprey must land in order to pull a fish from its claws. Areas around lakes and rivers are often the home to competing ospreys who also hunt for food for their families. An osprey will chase others who have caught a fish, in an attempt to steal their catch.

Two ospreys have begun the task of adding fresh sticks to their nest and the male has gone of to a nearby lake to find a meal. He returns soon after with a large bass, intending to feed the female who is guarding the nest. She can be heard squawking excitedly as he flies near. Her sharp vision allows her to see that it is her mate and that he has fish, but she can also see a female osprey following him and she shrieks a warning. As the male tries to land, the aggressor flies in behind and above, rendering the male's neck and spine vulnerable. He knows that an attack from this angle with her talons can be fatal. He can't release the fish and he can't easily turn around so he drops off the edge of the nest in a desperate effort to gain much needed speed to escape and lure her away.

The intruder has a brief squabble with the nesting female and then takes off after the male with the fish. He returns and makes another attempt to land. He still hasn't got the time needed to release the fish from his grasp and he continues past. His mate takes wing and the two females chase each other around the nest.

The male perches nearby, joined by his female and the two hastily rip chunks from the fish. When the defeated female flies away, the lady of the house returns to the nest, followed by her mate and the two enjoy the rest of the meal in peace.

Competition for food is a common sight among most animals, and it is the same for many birds of prey, but aerial battles such as this one are rarely caught on film.