Dear Ask SIB: I took this picture of two Ospreys this morning, is this a courtship behavior?
Osprey tussle – Gina Sanders
Answer:
Got to love the image. Looking closely, we can discern several clues to your question. The top bird, or aggressor, has a clean white throat and chest indicating it is an adult male. The upside-down bird, showing its talons in an effort to fend off the aggressor, shows a tinge of rust under the wings. This indicates a juvenile bird.
The answer to the question is, no, this is not breeding behavior. Osprey courtship happens once they return to their nesting site in the spring. Osprey don’t breed until at least three years old. Both of those facts eliminate courtship behavior. That answer then leads to the unasked question, “What are they doing?”
Currently in full swing, Osprey migration follows some distinct patterns. Early in the season, the females head south leaving dad to care for the young. Eventually he also takes off leaving the young to figure out migration on their own. Studies of Osprey in New England discovered many of the young head out right over the Atlantic Ocean, a route they only take once as they grow smarter once they experience the trip back.
That leaves me to hypothesize that this male is trying to convince the juvenile bird to move on. One might anthropomorphize it as kicking the teens out of the house.
Answer by: Robert Mercer