OSPREY Pandion haliaetus
The "Fish Eagle" has an almost cosmopolitan distribution but is nowhere common. He is a migrant to Paraguay where he is usually found along major rivers, flapping along lazily with heavy wingbeats. Being fish eaters they have to contend with extremely slippery prey. As a result their feet are lined with rough scales that give them extra grip as they pluck the unfortunate fish from just below the waters surface, long curved talons further enhancing the vice-like grip.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE2074PH) Adult dorsal, Bahía de Asunción, Departamento Central (Frank Fragano undated).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE2075PH) Adult ventral perched on building, Asunción, Departamento Central (Rob Clay November 2004).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE3631PH) Adult in flight, Rio Negro, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Aldo Fretes September 2012).
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