Birds that carry fish do so in order to transport food back to their nests to feed their young. The most common types of birds that carry whole fish are ospreys and bald eagles.
Ospreys
Ospreys are large raptors that are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live near bodies of water, since fish make up 99% of their diet. Ospreys are well-adapted for catching fish – their reversible outer toe allows them to grasp fish more securely, and the scales on their feet help them hold slippery fish. Their sharp, curved talons are perfect for snatching fish from the water.
When an osprey catches a fish, it will carry it in its talons, with the fish’s head facing forward. This aerodynamic position reduces drag and allows the osprey to fly more efficiently with its heavy load. Ospreys have been observed carrying fish weighing up to 4 pounds!
Ospreys build large nests in treetops, on utility poles, or on top of manmade nesting platforms. Their nests are usually located within a mile of a good fishing spot. When the male osprey returns to the nest with a fish, it will perform an aerial “fish dance” – flying in circles and waving the fish around to signal to its mate that it’s bringing home dinner. Once it lands, the female may take over holding the fish while the male goes to find more food.
Ospreys have special pads on their feet called spicules that help them grip slick fish. Here is a photo showing an osprey carrying a fish in its talons:
Bald Eagles
Like ospreys, bald eagles are excellent fishermen. Their diet consists mostly of fish, which they scoop from the water with their large, powerful talons. Bald eagles have thick scales on their toes and sharp spikes called spicules on their feet that help them hold on to wriggling fish.
When a bald eagle catches a particularly large or heavy fish, it will carry it in a special way. It turns the fish sideways with the fish’s backbone parallel to the ground, gripping it with one foot in front of the other. This allows the eagle to carry heavy loads while maintaining stability in flight.
One unique technique bald eagles use is called the “cartwheel display.” When an eagle catches a large, heavy fish that is too awkward to carry in flight, it will drag the fish to shore while doing dramatic cartwheels! The eagle loosely grips the fish and rolls over repeatedly while flying low over the water. This keeps the eagle from sinking under the fish’s weight.
Here is a step-by-step illustration of how bald eagles carry fish:
1. Eagle spots fish in water | |
2. Eagle swoops down and snatches fish | |
3. Eagle grips fish sideways in talons | |
4. Eagle flies back to nest with fish |
As these photos demonstrate, the bald eagle carefully grips the fish in the middle to maintain balance and control during flight.
Why Birds Carry Fish
Birds like ospreys and eagles carry fish back to their nests to feed their young. Nestlings have voracious appetites and parents work nonstop to find enough food. The males do most of the fishing and transport the fish back for the females and nestlings.
Fish are an ideal food source for nestling raptors for several reasons:
- High in protein and nutrients essential for growth
- Soft flesh and bones are easy for chicks to digest
- Readily available in areas near nesting sites
- Lower risk of predation, parasites, and contamination compared to mammalian prey
In addition to feeding chicks, fish help nourish breeding adults. The high calorie and protein content of fish helps replace energy spent incubating eggs, protecting the nest, and hunting.
Adaptations for Carrying Fish
Ospreys and eagles have evolved several key adaptations to help them transport fish:
- Sharp talons – Curved, pointed claws pierce prey and provide a firm grip.
- Rough foot scales – Spicules on the toes create friction to hold slippery fish.
- Reversible outer toe – Allows ospreys to grasp with two toes in front and two behind.
- Oil gland – Provides oil that helps repel water when feathers get wet.
- Dense bones – Lightweight yet strong bones enable flight with heavy loads.
- Broad wings – Large wing surface provides lift and stability in flight.
These adaptations allow ospreys to carry fish weighing up to 25% of their body weight – comparable to a 150 pound person carrying a 37 pound fish!
Other Birds That Carry Fish
While ospreys and bald eagles are the most famous fish-carriers, other birds around the world also carry fish back to their nests or to eat:
Brown Pelicans
– Plunge dive for fish, then carry in large throat pouch
Gannets
– Dive from heights up to 130 feet to catch prey
Kingfishers
– Catch fish by diving from perches or hovering above water
Herons
– Use precision strikes to stab fish with their sharp bills
Cormorants
– Swim and dive underwater to catch fish
Mergansers
– Fish-eating ducks that swim and dive for fish
While their fishing strategies differ, these waterbirds all rely on fish as a key food source and have evolved adaptations for gripping and carrying slippery prey.
Conclusion
Ospreys and bald eagles stand out as masters of piscine transport. Their impressive fishing skills, strong talons, and adaptations like reversible toes and spiculate scales allow them to carry large loads of fish. These raptors need a constant supply of fish to sustain their energetic breeding activities and rapidly growing chicks.
Next time you see an osprey or eagle overhead gripping a fish, take a moment to appreciate the elegant efficiency of these aerial fish carriers!