How to Identify Osprey Feathers

The Osprey is one of those birds you must see to believe. A beautiful bird of prey that is present in just about every continent of the world. They are a social bird species that live in colonies with nests so big you can practically see them from space! They stand up to 22-inches tall with a 70-inch wingspan that makes them a hard-to-miss bird when you see one.

But how do you know if you’ve spotted a feather from one of these intelligent and sometimes elusive birds? Like eagles, they tend to nest high and avoid humans as much as possible. They are a bit more common than their majestic cousin, however, and have a fairly similar spiritual meaning that is as old as ancient Rome, with Pliny the Elder telling many myths about these fantastic birds.

In this article, we’ll help you identify osprey feathers when you find them in the wild. We’ll also answer important questions about these feathers, including whether they’re legal to keep (spoiler: no, but we’ll explain why), whether chicks have similar feathers, and what spiritual meaning you can get from a feather. This information can help you better understand these staggeringly beautiful birds.

What Do Osprey Feathers Look Like?

Like all birds, ospreys have multiple feather types, including two wing feather varieties and a few others. These feathers usually have a fairly uniform style and color on the osprey though. Sizes may vary significantly depending on the adult and its overall spread. Follow the guidelines below to get a better idea of whether you’ve found an osprey feather in your woods:

What do Osprey Wing Feathers Look Like?

Primary Wing Feathers

How to Identify Osprey Feathers — ***Osprey primary wing feathers.*** *Image courtesy of fws.gov*

Primary osprey wing feathers are typically black on the narrow tip all the way down to about one-third of their bottom. They then widen out to about double their width and alternate narrow black strips with larger white patches. They can be between 23 to 40 centimeters or 9.5 to nearly 16 inches in length, depending on where they’re located on the body.

Secondary Wing Feathers

Secondary wing feathers are broader and shorter and provide maximum lift for an osprey and a high level of control in the air. They are typically about 20 centimeters or eight inches long, making them much shorter than primary feathers. However, they have a more varied appearance, with a primarily black color broken up by stripes of white throughout its length.

Contour Feathers

An osprey’s contour feathers are typically smaller than other feathers and a bit wider, with a length of around 20 centimeters or eight inches. They’re usually quite black, though some may have patches of white. They are a bit fuzzier than other feathers because they are designed to provide extra comfort to the osprey and to give it insulation to protect it in various weather types.

Tail Feathers

Osprey tail feathers are much lighter than the wing feathers and are usually around 24 centimeters or just about 10 inches long. They usually have stripes of large white alternating with black, which is much thinner than the white. This variation may include a somewhat yellow tint to the white patches, depending on the bird and the location where you find the feather.

Note that these feathers may look slightly different depending on the individual osprey that molts them. After all, you have a different hair color and pattern than others: the same is true of animals. However, these guidelines are pretty spot-on and should give you a good idea of whether you’ve found an osprey feather. The variations are usually minor, so you’re probably safe.

Related post: How to Identify Bald Eagle Feathers

How Do I Identify An Osprey Nest?

Now, we were just exaggerating a little in the introduction when we said an osprey’s nest was big enough to be seen from space. Obviously, they’re nowhere near that big! However, they’re definitely quite large. After all, they need to be big enough for the osprey and its chicks to live in for extended periods. The chicks will stay there for months until they’re ready to fly.

A typical osprey nest will be several feet across and have an open top that makes it easier for the mother bird and her chicks to live. The nest should be made out of various twigs and branches found throughout the area. You might even see a few unexpected things in there, like bits of ribbon or even rubbish the osprey finds, simply because they add a bit of flash to the nest and its overall structure.

Osprey nests are also typically situated on top of high trees, usually at the very top whenever possible. You may also see osprey nests on telephone poles or other similarly high areas. Ospreys are hunters and can see for miles with their amazing eyes. Telephone poles give their nests plenty of viewing areas and make it much easier for these birds to spot prey just about anywhere they look.

At the base of the nest, you may find feathers scattered around. The osprey will typically molt throughout the year, often at their nest where they are safest. These feathers may fall to the ground near the nest or blow away into the wind. You may also find chick feathers around the nest because they will grow and mature in these areas and lose much of their baby fuzz as a result.

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Do Osprey Chick Feathers Look Different?

Osprey chicks are much smaller versions of their parent birds, sometimes as little as one-third when they are first hatched. They grow feathers fairly quickly, though their young fuzz is likely to be brighter and much smaller. The edges will be fluffier and much less defined. As they mature, their feathers get more sharp around the sides and will be capable of flight. They’ll still be much smaller for some time.

Can I Keep an Osprey Feather That I Find?

No, you cannot keep an osprey feather because they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918. This constantly updated treaty includes the osprey as a bird that you cannot hunt, sell, or injure. Even gathering and selling its feathers is considered a violation of this act. Some Native American tribes may be able to collect osprey feathers and give them to other members of their tribe.

Related post: How To Identify Turkey Feathers

Does An Osprey Have White Tail Feathers?

An osprey’s tail feathers are much whiter than the rest of the body but still have patches of black throughout. This fact is important to remember because other birds do have white tail feathers, such as seagulls. However, gull feathers are much smaller than osprey and are usually not as hard to find. When you find white feathers near an obvious osprey nest, a few things may be at play here.

One, the osprey may have taken a smaller prey bird back to its nest and regurgitated its feathers around the base. Second, other birds may have visited the area or come to the tree occasionally to feed: not likely with an osprey nesting nearby but possible. Lastly, you may have found an osprey chick’s feathers, which are often much brighter, smaller, and fuzzier than their adult counterparts.

Related post: How to Identify Goose Feathers

Osprey Feather Meaning and Symbolism

The osprey has many spiritual meanings and symbolic possibilities, depending on the culture. Typically, the osprey is considered a powerful and courageous animal by most cultures and one with keen intelligence. If you find an osprey feather, the universe may be telling you that your fate is coming true and that you are a strong and capable person who is on the right path in life.

Mental Clarity

However, an osprey feather may also indicate that you need to move up and out in your life toward a new destination or thought process. It can be a very inward-thinking feather, as the universe may be asking you to search your soul and decide if you’re on the right path or not. Decide what your soul desires and where your dreams lie to ensure that you improve your clarity and knowledge.

A Path Through Negative Energy

Much of the osprey’s imagery comes from its very nature, such as its incredible eyesight. As a result, they are often considered a powerful guide through troubling times, teaching you how to liberate your mind from negativity and self-deception. Finding an osprey feather may be the universe giving you a reminder to watch out for these adverse feelings and to stay focused on your personal progress.

Ospreys as a Totem Animal

If your totem includes ospreys, you’re a very lucky person! People with this totem are often very successful because they’re born with dogged determination and stubbornness. You’re one of those people who sees everything through to its completion and who usually does well in everything.

An osprey totem indicates a successful career in creativity and leadership, including writing, programming, and other powerful roles. Finding an osprey feather may mean this animal is being added to your personal totem, which is a powerful signal that you’re about to succeed in life.

Related post: How to Identify Red-Tailed Hawk Feathers

Wrap Up – How to Identify Osprey Feathers

We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide on identifying osprey feathers! These gorgeous birds can be found around the world, and so can their feathers.

You might also want to continue reading on the spiritual meaning of Osprey feathers!

Related post: The Coolest Birds

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