Bird Watching: Daily Pics Vol. 238, 1 by MargaretK

MargaretK wrote:
CuteRobins, Nanny.

Methodical, wonderful Osprey shots.

I'm wondering if anyone who has observed Ospreys has ever seen the adult male going into a submissive pose every time his mate lands on the nest. I've been watching Dad and Big Hook for over two months and with activity increasing over the last few weeks, they have been spending a lot of time either on the nest together, or coming and going. When he is on the nest and becomes aware that she's coming in for a landing he immediately starts to assume a submissive posture, with head down, wings out and crouching low, whilst scuttling forward towards the edge of the nest. She is never, ever aggressive towards him and after a few seconds he gets himself upright again. My friend who has observed this nest for the past 4 years says he's never seen it happening before and we wonder if it's some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he has, because of the treatment he received from darling Old Ma Osprey last season. It is most definitely not the same sort of response in order to avoid talons, where they will avert their gaze and the nictitating membrane comes across the eyes until the potential for injury has passed. That self-protective action is quite different. I wish I could capture it on video to be able to show you more clearly than I can describe, but for that, iI guess you need a video recording device.

Here's a couple of shots.