Raising Aussie Osprey #7

Aussie now appears to be puzzled as Mum leaves.

But then gets a little more assertive as Mum heads back down and across the nest.

Mum has temporarily flown off, leaving Aussie to ponder what had transpired between them.

Mum Osprey wasn't gone from the nest for long and soon after her return, the male arrived with a fish.

He didn't leave the fish the first time round, but took off with it and circled the area a couple of times. Aussie took off after him calling frantically, but returned to the nest shortly before the male arrived once again. This time he left the headless fish for the two females to fight over.

This message was edited Jan 28, 2009 2:35 PM

I think the mother had the fish initially, but in this shot there's no telling who's in possession. Aussie's on the left. The male seems amazed by their behaviour. It will be interesting to learn if these behaviours are typical at this stage of development or if is related to the mother Osprey's restricted vision and capacity to fish for herself.

Aussie once again ended up with the fish.

Aussie takes the fish up onto the branch where the sun is just beginning to reappear for a brief time.

.. after a bit of a fly around.

The spoils of victory

It was a decent sized fish.

I have hesitated in posting this one as it rips my heart out. The sight and sound of the mother Osprey standing on the nest facing the male in his favourite tree, calling like a hungry chick as Aussie ate the fish on the branch behind her.

Margaret do you think mums behaving like a chick mate!! if Aussie sibling had survived they would have been fighting over the one fish at a time. I really hope she acting like the one who missed out.

Boots, I really don't know. I got back from there a little over an hour ago. No sign of Dad with a fish today, which may have influenced behaviours, but Mum was top dog. She seemed to be trying to evict Aussie from the nest. Neither of them was making the hungry calls they did yesterday. The more I observe them the more I realize how little I know about them.

I'll start a new thread with today's images a bit later on. Here's one of Mum moving in an intimidating manner towards Aussie, who has adopted a passive position.

These latest reports are very interesting and really do make for more questions than answers regarding their behavior.

This message was edited Jan 28, 2009 1:14 PM

You're so right, nanny. The change in behaviour since yesterday has certainly got me scratching my head - yes, I'll be careful I don't get splinters.

Wonderful shots Margaret...interesting behavior! I would have loved to hear the screaming contest...kind of reminded me of a teen and her Mom!

It seems like they are fighting over ownership of the nest.

JuneyB, that's exactly how it appears.

Rose, when my DH was looking over my shoulder he commented that it seemed typical behaviour when two females have been together for any length of time.

OK, we're heading off to thread #8. Please join us here. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/946950/