Ospreys

Popularly known as the “fish hawk,” the osprey is a coastal-dwelling bird of prey found throughout the U.S. With a five to six-foot wingspan, ospreys are easily spotted as they circle high above the water, preparing to make their quick, graceful dives to catch unsuspecting fish as far as three feet underwater. Relatives of hawks and eagles, ospreys are uniquely adapted to fishing, with excellent diving speed, “opposable” talons to snag slippery fish, and an ability to carry prey weighing up to 30% of the bird’s own weight while in flight. In addition to their traditional nesting habitats atop trees near the water, ospreys will also nest on man-made structures like telephone poles, duck blinds, and marker buoys. Although concentrated in coastal areas, resident and migrating ospreys can be spotted at Lake Allatoona and other locations throughout the state.