Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: OSPREY

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: ACCIPITRIFORMES

Family: PANDIONIDAE

Genus: PANDION

Species: HALIAETUS

SubSpecies: CAROLINENSIS

Taxonomic Authority: (GMELIN)

Taxonomy References: 002 , 054 , 056

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 003 , 038 , 050 , 055

Habitat Summary

"Are associated with streams, swamps, ponds, lakes and reservoirs. Nest in tall trees, on utility poles or on nest platforms near water."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland matrix"

References: 020 , 021 , 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Uncommon transient, accidental summer visitant in south, accidental winter resident in east. Former summer resident *47*. A reintroduction program was started in 1995 *48*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ADAIR ATCHISON
ANDREW AUDRAIN
BARRY BARTON
BENTON BATES
BOLLINGER BUTLER
BOONE CALDWELL
BUCHANAN CARROLL
CALLAWAY CASS
CAMDEN CEDAR
CAPE GIRARDEAU CHRISTIAN
CARTER CLARK
CHARITON COOPER
CLAY DAVIESS
CLINTON DEKALB
COLE DENT
CRAWFORD DOUGLAS
DADE DUNKLIN
DALLAS GENTRY
FRANKLIN GRUNDY
GASCONADE HARRISON
GREENE HICKORY
HENRY HOWARD
HOLT HOWELL
IRON JEFFERSON
JACKSON JOHNSON
LACLEDE KNOX
LINCOLN LAFAYETTE
LINN LAWRENCE
LIVINGSTON LEWIS
MACON MADISON
MARION MARIES
MILLER MCDONALD
MISSISSIPPI MONITEAU
MONROE MONTGOMERY
NODAWAY NEW MADRID
OREGON NEWTON
OSAGE PEMISCOT
OZARK PERRY
PHELPS PETTIS
PIKE POLK
PLATTE PUTNAM
PULASKI RANDOLPH
RALLS RAY
SALINE REYNOLDS
SHANNON RIPLEY
ST. CHARLES SCHUYLER
ST. CLAIR SCOTLAND
ST. LOUIS SCOTT
STODDARD SHELBY
STONE ST. FRANCOIS
TANEY STE. GENEVIEVE
TEXAS SULLIVAN
VERNON WARREN
WAYNE WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 013 , 018 , 009 , 049 , 001 , 004 , 005 , 007 , 008 , 010 , 011 , 012 , 042 , 045 , 047 , 048 , 014 , 015 , 016 , 017 , 052

Distribution by Watersheds

Wyaconda R.
South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
South Fork from Headwaters to North Fork
Salt R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Northwest Corner of Jackson County
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
Blackwater R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Lacustrine
Palustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Lacustrine"
"Palustrine"
"Palustrine", "Forested"
"Riverine"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001

Habitat Types:

Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Swamp
Pond, Lake, Reservoir
Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 020 , 021 , 001 , 044 , 019

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Bottomland Forest
Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet Bottomland Forest
Flatwoods
Wetland
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp
Shrub Swamp
Pond Shrub Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 020 , 021 , 044 , 019

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Amphibians; Not Specified
Salientia (frogs, toads, peepers, tree frogs); Not Specified
Reptiles; Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 020 , 021 , 036 , 037 , 041

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Turbidity: clear water
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 020 , 041

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 020

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Distance to water specified in comments(00430)
Human association specified in comments(00690)
Isolation from humans required; should be relatively inaccessible

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 020 , 021 , 033 , 040 , 041 , 019

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: clear water
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Floodplain wetlands: non-connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: chute
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Snags

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 020 , 041 , 043 , 051 , 053

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: clear water
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Floodplain wetlands: non-connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: chute
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Snags

References for resting adult niche requirements: 020

Niche Requirement Summary

Distance to water specified in comments(00430)
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: chute
Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: non-connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Human association specified in comments(00690)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: swamp
Isolation from humans required; should be relatively inaccessible
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Snags
Turbidity: clear water
Water depth: shallow

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
006 Hunt from 50-100' above water *20,41*
007 In northeast u.s. Nest from late April - late June *41*
011 Nest on rocky ledges, sand dunes, telephone poles, artificial platforms, duck blinds, channel buoys, chimneys or fences *21,40,41*
013 Strong tendency to reuse old nest each year *22,40,41*
014 Nest 0-60' above ground *21,40* or up to 130' *41*
017 Incubation 28 days *21,24,41*, 35 days *40*, in CA average 37.2 days *26*.
018 Clutch usually 3 *19,21,25,40,41*
022 Mature at 3 years *24,41*
031 In NY - NJ area adult mortality 18% *24*
035 Pesticides may cause embryonic mortality *30*. Egg failure a major cause of poor nest success *32*. Adequate food supply and suitable nest sites increase nest success, human disturbance is adverse *33*. Mortality factors include shooting, human disturbance and chemical contamination *34*
099 Fledging rate in chesapeake bay area 2 per successful nest *23*. 1.22 to 1.3 young produced per nest will maintain stable population. Annual decline during the 1960's estimated at 12-14% for CT, ME and MI, 2-3% for MD and MN *27*. In CT, young fledges per pair increased from .5 to 1.2 between 1969-1973 and 1976-197 *29*. 90% of 2-year-old ospreys may return to same or adjacent state where they hatched. Immature remain on wintering grounds up to age 2 *34*. Average life span 1.8 years, average age of mature birds 4.8 years *20*. Weather conditions may affect hunting success. High winds and clouds adversely affect foraging success *31*
005 Perch on snags to spot prey *43*

Life History Information

Territoriality: defends nesting territory
Periodicity: active in day
Mortality rate specified in comments(031)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: spring/fall
Foraging strategy: hovering
Foraging strategy: hawking
Foraging sites: ground
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites: air
Foraging sites: snags
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Foraging height specified in comments(006)
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system: monogamy
Duration of pair bond: pair for life
Nest/den site: trees
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest/den site: man-made structure
Nest/den/spawning site tenacity specified in comments(013)
Nest height specified in comments(014)
Nest materials: grasses
Nest materials: sticks
Nest materials: bark
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: female
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
006 Hunt from 50-100' above water *20,41*
007 In northeast u.s. Nest from late April - late June *41*
011 Nest on rocky ledges, sand dunes, telephone poles, artificial platforms, duck blinds, channel buoys, chimneys or fences *21,40,41*
013 Strong tendency to reuse old nest each year *22,40,41*
014 Nest 0-60' above ground *21,40* or up to 130' *41*
017 Incubation 28 days *21,24,41*, 35 days *40*, in CA average 37.2 days *26*.
018 Clutch usually 3 *19,21,25,40,41*
022 Mature at 3 years *24,41*
031 In NY - NJ area adult mortality 18% *24*
035 Pesticides may cause embryonic mortality *30*. Egg failure a major cause of poor nest success *32*. Adequate food supply and suitable nest sites increase nest success, human disturbance is adverse *33*. Mortality factors include shooting, human disturbance and chemical contamination *34*
099 Fledging rate in chesapeake bay area 2 per successful nest *23*. 1.22 to 1.3 young produced per nest will maintain stable population. Annual decline during the 1960's estimated at 12-14% for CT, ME and MI, 2-3% for MD and MN *27*. In CT, young fledges per pair increased from .5 to 1.2 between 1969-1973 and 1976-197 *29*. 90% of 2-year-old ospreys may return to same or adjacent state where they hatched. Immature remain on wintering grounds up to age 2 *34*. Average life span 1.8 years, average age of mature birds 4.8 years *20*. Weather conditions may affect hunting success. High winds and clouds adversely affect foraging success *31*
005 Perch on snags to spot prey *43*

References for life history: 020 , 021 , 022 , 023 , 024 , 025 , 026 , 027 , 028 , 030 , 031 , 032 , 033 , 034 , 043 , 019

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain lakes/ponds
Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - stabilize streambanks
Water - restrict human disturbance
Forest - seasonal restriction of human use of habitats
Forest - provide artificial nesting sites
Forest - control erosion
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - maintain streambanks
Forest - maintain streamside vegetation
Forest - maintain old growth forests

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 033 , 034 , 035 , 046

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides

Adverse Management References: 001 , 033 , 034

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
002 American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Checklist Of North American Birds, 5th Ed. Lord Baltimore Press. Baltimore, Md. 691 Pp.
003 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
004 Birds Of Squaw Creek National Wildife Refuge. 1975. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. Rf-663560-2.
005 Duck Creek Bird Checklist. 1979. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo.
006 Birds Of The Bennett Spring State Park Area Field Checklist. Nature Interpretive Center Staff.
007 Birds Of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.1970.Department Of The Interior Fish And Wildlife Service.Bureau Of Sport Fisheries And Wildlife.Refuge Leaflet 179-R3.
008 Dierker, W.W. 1979. Birds Of The Hannibal, Missouri Area. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 13: 41-51.
009 Welcome To Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge Pamphlet.
010 Kleen, V.M. 1977. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 29(3):696-700.
011 Kleen, V.M. 1977. The Changing Seasons - Middlewestern Prairie Region. Amer. Birds 31(2):182-186.
012 Heilbrun, L.H. 1978. 1977-1978 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 32(4):447-911.
013 Anderson, D. 1973. Fall Survey. Bluebird 40(1):6-9
014 Anderson, D. 1976. Spring Survey. Bluebird 43(1):17-22.
015 Robbins, M. 1977. Winter Survey. Bluebird 44(1):17-28.
016 Matthews, R. 1977. Birding At Camp Rising Sun. Bluebird 44(4):9-10.
017 Rathert, J. 1977. Notes On Hawk Migration. Bluebird 44(4):16.
018 Robbins, M. 1978. Fall Survey. Bluebird 45(1):23-29.
019 Ames, P.L. and G.S. Messereau. 1964. Some Factors In The Decline Of The Osprey In Connecticut. Auk 81:173-185.
020 Brown, L. and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons Of The World. Vol. 1. Mcgraw-Hill Book Co. Ny, Ny. 414pp.
021 Bent, A.C. 1937. Life Histories Of North American Birds Of Prey. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 167. 409 Pp.
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023 Reese, J.G. 1970. Reproduction In A Chesapeake Bay Osprey Population Auk 87:747-759.
024 Henny, C.J. and H.M. Wight. 1969. An Endangered Osprey Population: Estimates Of Mortality And Production. Auk 86:188-198.
025 Kenyon, K.W. 1947. Breeding Populations Of The Osprey In Lower California. Condor 49:152-158.
026 Garber, D.P. and J.R. Koplin. 1972. Prolonged And Bisexual Incubation By California Ospreys. Condor 74:201-202.
027 Henny, C.J. and J.C. Ogden. 1970. Estimated Status Of Osprey Populations In The United States. J. Wildl. Manage. 34:214-217.
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029 Spitzer, P.R., R.W. Risebrough, W. Walker, Ii, R. Hernandez, A. Poole, D. Puleston and I.C.T. Nisbet. 1978. Productivity Of Ospreys In Connecticut - Long Island Increases As Dde Residues Decline. Science 202:333-335.
030 Ames, P.L. 1966. Ddt Residues In The Eggs Of The Osprey In Northeastern United States And Their Relation To Nesting Success. J. Appl. Ecology 3(Suppl.):87-97.
031 Grubb, T.G. 1977. Weather Dependent Foraging In Ospreys. Auk:94:146-149.
032 Wiemeyer, S.N. 1971. Reproductive Success Of Potomac River Ospreys - 1970. Chesaoeaje Sci. 12:278-280.
033 Reese, J.G. 1972. Osprey Nesting Success Along The Chaptank River, Maryland. Chesapeake Sci. 13:233-235.
034 Zarn, M. 1974. Habitat Management Series For Unique Or Endangered Species. Report No. 12. Osprey Pandion Haliaetus Carolinensis. Tech. Note Usdi, Bur. Land Manage., Denver. 41 Pp.
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040 Harrison, H.H. 1975. A Field Guide To Birds Nests In The United States East Of The Mississippi River. Houghton - Mifflin Co., Boston 257 Pp.
041 Degraaf, R.M., G.M. Whitman, J.W. Lanier, B.J. Hill and J.M. Keniston 1980. Forest Habitat For Birds Of The Northeast. U.S.D.A.F.S. 598 Pp.
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056 Chesser, R.T., R.C. Banks, F.K. Barker, C.Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, D.F. Stotz and K.Winker. 2010. 51st Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 127(3):726-744.