Hunting Fish

There is good evidence that Ospreys learn where to fish by watching each other, seeing individuals diving for fish and then heading out to join them. Perhaps more remarkable is the finding that in some colonies successful foragers coming in with fish may trigger others to head off in that same direction, even when no fishing birds can be seen. In this way Osprey breeding colonies become “information centers”, a benefit of nesting closely together. One Nova Scotia study suggested that Ospreys in colonies may even distinguish the kinds of fish neighbours bring in, setting off on a foraging trip only when schooling fish arrive in the talons of colony mates, fish known to be clustered and easy to catch, but staying put (essentially ignoring the information) when they see other less-accessible fish coming in.