Splashing out on supper: Fish on the menu for the majestic Osprey as he dive-bombs river... and lands a whopper

By Daily Mail Reporter


Gotcha! In an awesome display of precision flying the raptor swoops down upon its intended fishy target before snatching it cleanly out of the water


With a well-tuned palate for fine fish dining, this plucky Osprey always prefers to splash out on his supper.

In an awesome display of precision flying the raptor spots a fish from the air and swoops down to snatch it cleanly out of the water.

After diving deep below the water's surface, the fearsome bird then reverses its trajectory and takes off to the skies again with the fish firmly clutched in hits talons.


Boasting a 2m wingspan, Ospreys, which are common in Britain, live on a diet mostly consisting of medium-sized fish.

Due to this the birds of prey have become uniquely adapted to the challenges of catching their favourite feast.

To begin with the Osprey will fly above the water's surface in order to locate a fish.

Once it spots its prey the bird hovers momentarily before executing a near vertical, feet first plunge into the water.

This dive can send the Osprey up to one metre deep beneath the surface with the unlucky fish caught tight in its talons. To assist with their hunting strategy Ospreys have closable nostrils.

Diver: The dive can send the Osprey up to a metre beneath the surface. To assist with their hunting strategy Ospreys have closable nostrils.

Fish supper: Having plunged into the water, the Osprey uses its 2m wingspan to take to the air once again


Anyone for take-away? After making something of a splash, the Osprey beats its huge wings with the fish firmly clutched in hits talons


source;dailymail