Osprey Season
April 2026
April is Osprey Season in Colorado! Osprey are a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey that flies in circles above ponds hoping that they’ll see a fish swimming close to the surface. They dive talons first with hopes that they’ll catch a fish that they can take back to their nest to feed their young and themselves. Osprey and owls are the only raptors whose outer toes are reversible, allowing them to grasp their prey with two toes in front and two behind. This is particularly helpful when they grab slippery fish.
Diving Osprey is inches from contact with water. Note the two talons facing forward and two talons facing backward. This helps them grab and hold onto a slippery fish.
Osprey with fish. Many time you'll see an Osprey flying with a fish with using only one talon.
Osprey with fish.
Osprey with fish.
Osprey with fish.
Osprey with fish.
Osprey with fish.
Osprey with fish. When an Osprey dives for a fish they get very wet. It's a challenge for them to get airborne again with what sometime can be a pretty large fish. Once airborne, they "shake" to get rid of excess water.
Osprey with fish.