The diet of the Osprey ('Pandion haliaetus') on the north coast of New South Wales

Abstract

Food taken by Ospreys ('Pandion haliaetus') was assessed at nine nests in the Clarence Valley, in north-eastern New South Wales, from 1991 to 1996 by observing food taken to nests and collecting remains below nests. Opportunistic observations and collections were also made at other nests and feeding sites on the north coast of New South Wales. The diet consisted primarily of mullet species, particularly the Sea Mullet ('Mugil cephalus'), and Yellowfin Bream ('Acanthopagrus australis'). The diet differed from that of Ospreys in the Great Barrier Reef, but was similar to that in other subtropical and tropical areas of the world.