The breeding biology of the Osprey 'Pandion haliaetus' on the north coast of New South Wales

Abstract

Observations were made at nine nests of the Osprey 'Pandion haliaetus' in the Clarence Valley, north-east New South Wales, from 1991 to 1996 for a total of 213 hours over 172 nest visits. Details of the breeding behaviour (nest sites, nest construction, courtship, display, mating, egg-laying and incubation, brood size, nest defence, fledging, breeding success, post-fledging) are presented. Breeding occurred in winter with most nestlings fledging in spring and occasionally early summer. Nests were defended against potential predators of eggs and chicks such as the White-bellied Sea-Eagle 'Haliaeetus leucogaster' and Torresian 'Crow Corvus orru'. Over 30 per cent of diurnal incubation was carried out by the male, despite him being the sole food provider during the incubation and early nestling stages.