Ospreys in Massachusetts (2025)

FAQs

Are ospreys protected in MA? ›

Ospreys and their nests are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Ospreys may construct nests on homes, sheds, outbuildings, docks, or boats. If an osprey nest is in an area of concern and you would like to have it removed or relocated, please review the following information.

A pair of breeding ospreys has returned to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, for the 12^th year running. Hopes are high for another successful breeding season at our stunning wetland nature reserve near Witherslack. Blue 35 and White YW first nested at Foulshaw Moss in 2013 and a year later raised their first chicks here.

Three separate studies estimated that an adult Osprey needs approximately 400 g (0.88 lb) of fish meat per day to meet its energy needs. These studies also found that Osprey caught fish between 50 to 1200 g, (0.1-2.6 lb) but most were between 150-300 g (0.33-0.66 lb).

Do any animals eat osprey? Adult ospreys do not have many predators, although great horned owls and bald eagles have been known to sometimes kill osprey chicks and adults. The primary predator is the raccoon, who will steal and eat osprey eggs found in nests.

Osprey, active nests, eggs, and young are also protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state Rule 68A-16.001, F.A.C. Inactive nests (i.e., nests without eggs or flightless young) can be removed without a permit.

The ospreys seem to prefer to sleep or roost in nearby trees, much like the eagles. When the female osprey is close to laying the first egg, she sometimes spends the night in the nest.

Why did ospreys decline and become extinct? Historically, ospreys were killed because they were seen as a threat to fish stocks that were used as a source of human food. They were considered vermin because they ate trout and salmon, and were routinely shot by gamekeepers and sportsmen.

Least Concern (Population increasing)

Osprey / Conservation status

Wiley and Lohrer (1973) reviewed records of non-fish prey taken by Ospreys. These included mammals as large as ground squirrels and rabbits, as well as a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Osprey pairs are generally monogamous and often mate for life. The male selects a nesting site in a dead tree, on a cliff, or on a man-made structure in or near the water. The pair collects sticks and other nesting materials together, but the female generally arranges the nest, which is large and bulky.

What is the lifespan of an osprey? ›

The typical lifespan is 7–10 years, though rarely individuals can grow to as old as 20–25 years. The oldest European wild osprey on record lived to be over thirty years of age.

There is no specific name for a baby osprey. The word "chick" is a generic term for a baby bird, and is more readily understood than the rather obscure word "eyass." A chick that is covered in downy feathers and is completely dependent on its parents is called a nestling.

The main useful visual clue is the 'bib' or 'necklace' marking on the osprey's chest. Adult females tend to have quite pronounced brown necklaces while adult males have a lighter marking, sometimes fading to virtually nothing.

When can we expect to see the ospreys lay their eggs and how many eggs do they usually lay? The eggs are usually laid in late April, typically between 2-4 eggs one at a time a few days apart. The eggs will typically hatch about 5-6 weeks later (36-42 days).

The osprey is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Although it is no longer listed as a Species of Special Concern, it is still included in the Imperiled Species Management Plan.

A nest should only be removed if it threatens human health or safety, poses potential risk of injury to the osprey parents or their offspring, or conflicts with normal use or function of property or equipment.

Ospreys are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act; shooting one is a misdemeanor and can result in a maximum $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

After the 1972 U.S. DDT ban, populations rebounded, and the Osprey became a conservation success symbol. Ospreys are still listed as endangered or threatened in some states—especially inland, where pesticides decimated or extirpated many populations.