Lens on Nature

Osprey feed almost exclusively on fish, as suggested by their other common names (fish eagle or fish hawk). They plunge from a great height into open water and pluck fish swimming near the surface. They can be seen circling high overhead, and when they spot a fish swimming near the water's surface, they will fold their wings, dive, and snatch the fish with their outstretched talons.

Burrowing owls are endangered in the SE United States, although they range throughout North and South America. They nest exclusively in burrows at ground level. They are often active during the day, unlike most other owls, but feed mainly at dawn or dusk. Their food consists of insects and small mammals.

Red-shouldered Hawks feed largely on small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic crustaceans. They like to drop on their prey from a perch high up in a tree. Pictured here is the Florida subspecies, with a pale gray head and barely discernable barring on the chest.