3 Ways To Identify An Osprey

Spot Ospreys: best times and places

Ospreys, also known as “sea hawks,” are a common sight on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, particularly around areas like Parksville. These majestic birds of prey captivate nature lovers and hikers with their graceful flight, impressive wingspans, and unique hunting techniques.

For those enjoying hiking trails during their stay at Smiley Fitness Retreats, catching a glimpse of these birds is a bucket-list experience. Ospreys’ nesting season runs from April through September. This guide will help you learn to identify them and share the best times and locations to witness these birds up close in British Columbia.

Osprey vs. other Raptors: How to Tell Them Apart

Click this post for identification features, to tell the differences. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between birds of prey, but ospreys have several distinct characteristics that make them stand out from their fellow raptors. Here’s how you can identify them:

• Hovering behaviour before hunting: One of the most recognizable behaviours of ospreys is their hovering before diving into the water to catch fish. While eagles and hawks may also hunt fish, they do not often display the same hovering behaviour. This unique trait is one of the first signs that you’re observing an osprey.
• White underbelly and distinct markings: Ospreys have a striking appearance with their white underbellies and faces, contrasted by a dark band that runs across their eyes and extends down to the sides of their necks. This band gives them a “masked” look, which is very different from the solid-coloured bodies of many hawks and the white heads of bald eagles.
• Long, narrow wings with a significant bend at the wrists: During flight, ospreys’ long wings are bent at the wrists, creating a distinctive silhouette. In contrast, hawks typically have straight wings, while bald eagles’ wings have a more massive, broad appearance.

For more detailed insights into distinguishing birds of prey, Audubon offers comprehensive guides that focus on birdwatching and species identification.

Ospreys can be differentiated from hawks and bald eagles in several ways:-

1. Their unique hovering behavior before diving into water to catch fish, a behavior not commonly seen in many hawks or bald eagles.
2. Distinctive white underbelly and face, with a dark band across the eyes that extends to the sides of the neck, unlike the often solid-colored hawks or the white-headed bald eagles.
3. Long, narrow wings, and significant bend at the wrists, which is a characteristic silhouette during flight that distinguishes them from the straight wings of hawks and bald eagles.

Learn more about Osprey here!

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Best Seasons for Sightings

The best time to spot ospreys in British Columbia is during their nesting season, April to September. During this period, ospreys are most active as they build nests, raise chicks, and hunt for fish. This offers a fantastic opportunity to observe their fascinating behaviors, especially hiking near waterways or coastlines where they hunt.

Ospreys are highly specialized hunters, and their behavior during the active months of spring and summer is tied to their need to raise and feed their young. As they return to established nesting sites, these birds exhibit fascinating patterns for observation.

In the early months of spring, ospreys can be seen building or repairing their nests, often located high on platforms, tall trees, or utility poles. These nests, typically constructed from sticks and lined with softer materials, are essential for rearing their chicks. The male osprey is particularly active during this time, providing food for  female and  young once they hatch.

Spring and Summer: The Peak Season for Osprey Watching

The spring and summer months are ideal for spotting ospreys because they often return to the same nesting sites each year. Their large, easily visible nests are typically built high up in trees or on man-made structures like telephone poles and specially designed nest platforms. Watching these magnificent birds fish and tend to their young can be one of the highlights of a nature-focused retreat.

For more info check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s birdwatching guide and learn more about osprey behaviour and conservation efforts.

Top spots to see Ospreys in Parksville

If  visiting Vancouver Island, Parksville is an excellent location to observe ospreys in action. One of the top spots is the Englishman River Estuary, a prime birdwatching area where ospreys are known to nest in tall trees near the water. The estuary’s rich ecosystem supports a diverse range of wildlife, making it a great place to spot not only ospreys but other bird species as well. 

During a recent Smiley Fitness Retreat hike to the Lantzville Lookout, guests were treated to the extraordinary sight of ospreys soaring below them as they stood at the lookout. This steep trail, which leads to stunning views of the Strait of Georgia, is a prime location for observing birds of prey in flight. Watching these birds from an elevated vantage point offers a unique perspective that makes the experience even more surreal.

For those keen on bird watching in Vancouver Island, websites like eBird provide a platform where bird enthusiasts can share sightings and tips on where to find ospreys and other local species. eBird’s data is crowdsourced from birders worldwide, making it an excellent resource for planning your next birdwatching hike.

Hiking and birdwatching

Hiking and birdwatching go hand in hand, particularly when exploring areas rich in biodiversity like British Columbia. When you combine the physical benefits of hiking with the mental and emotional rewards of observing wildlife, an immersive outdoor experience.  

To enhance birdwatching skills while hiking,  explore field guides or apps like Merlin Bird ID, which offers identification tools: location, size, colour, and behaviour. This makes it easier to spot and identify ospreys and other birds you encounter on the trail.

Looking for a supportive trip to help you get into hiking? You’re in the right place! Smiley Fitness Retreats is an incredible active travel company for slow pace women, with six different adventure styles. Take a browse around our site and don’t leave without joining our community email.

> READ: Embrace the Great Outdoors: Discover the Joy of Hiking