Osprey are skilled at landing on branches and perches, even when they are small or moving. Ospreys have powerful talons that are sharp and curved, which allows them to grip branches tightly. They use their talons to latch onto branches and maintain their balance while perched. Ospreys have excellent eyesight, which allows them to spot potential landing sites from a distance. They are able to adjust their flight path and approach the landing site at just the right angle to land successfully.
Ospreys are incredibly agile in flight, which allows them to make rapid adjustments to their flight path as needed. They can slow down or speed up quickly, change direction suddenly, and make tight turns with ease. When landing on a branch or perch, ospreys use their wings to help stabilise themselves. They will often flare their wings out to slow down and control their descent, and use them to adjust their balance once they have landed.
Young Ospreys may practice their landing skills by landing on sticks or other objects on the ground. This helps them to develop the skills they need to land successfully on branches and perches as they mature.
September 2022: Intense focus and body position.
August 2022: Chandler completely outstretched ready to grab the perch.
August 2022: Talons ready to catch the top of the tree.
September 2022: A beautiful angle wing landing with legs and talons extended.
September 2022: A graceful landing.
September 2022: Chandler fully focused with talons extended and eyes spotting the landing spot.
December 2022: Wings perfectly spread ready to land.
