Juvenile Ospreys (Identification Guide with Pictures)

osprey is from Hawk shape family. These birds of prey are experts at catching fish, the mainstay of their diet.

Ospreys are distributed over most of the world and are found on every continent except Antarctica. Identifying an osprey is relatively simple due to its white body and contrasting black wings, but juveniles are a bit trickier.

Juvenile ospreys quickly lose their birth down to make way for their juvenile feathers. Osprey juvenile plumage is similar to adult plumage, but their black wings and upper body tips have white fringes.

This fine-grained restriction can identify late juveniles from mature adults. Also, the white underparts of juveniles are light brown and appear dirtier than those of adults unless the adult’s feathers wear down and become a similar color.

Another way to identify juvenile ospreys is by looking at their eyes. Juveniles have dark orange eyes, while adults have yellow eyes. Juvenile ospreys can be confidently identified by dark orange eyes with white tips, stripes, or spots on the upper body.

Of course, there’s still a lot to learn about juvenile Ospreys – read on to find out!

Closeup of a young Osprey fledgling in its nest

What do juvenile ospreys look like?

Ospreys start breeding as early as March. Young ospreys hatch from their eggs between March and May and are covered in a thick down that lasts until May to July. Ospreys moult their chicks after a week or two, and their juvenile plumage is complete after about 50 to 60 days, at which point most chicks begin to grow their feathers.

Juvenile ospreys look very similar to adults, with only minor differences. One of the main differences is their white striped spots or sloping wings and upper bodies. Also, since adults have a black upper body, white juveniles stand out very much compared to darker, uniformed adults.

In addition, the upper body of juvenile fish is lighter brown than that of adults. Distinguishing juvenile females from males is tricky, but females are 20 percent larger than males, have longer tails, and sometimes darker plumage on the chest and under the neck than males.

The undersides of juveniles have a buff tinge that contrasts with their white bodies. This brownish tint helps to identify juveniles from adults in flight.

Juvenile plumage lasts about 18 months, at which point the osprey molts into adult plumage.

Juvenile Osprey perched on a post

How big is a baby Osprey?

Juvenile ospreys grow rapidly, reaching about 90 percent of their adult size and weight by the time they hatch about 50 days later.

Flying fledgling ospreys are similar in size to adults, about 60 cm (24 in) long and have a wingspan of 180 cm (71 in).

When Do Baby Ospreys Moult?

Juvenile ospreys undergo about three highly variable molts that see them transition from basic juvenile plumage to defined adult plumage.

First, ospreys molt, which occurs within a few days of hatching. After about 60 days, ospreys develop their juvenile feathers, at which point they can begin to fly proficiently.

The first molt occurs around December and includes about 35% of the body and upper body feathers. The second and third molts occur throughout the winter and in the spring of the second calendar year.

Juvenile feathers may last for more than two years, but are usually replaced by adult feathers after about 18 months.

baby osprey in flight

What Do Baby Ospreys Eat?

Juvenile ospreys take the time to practice their fishing skills. A Florida study found that juveniles try to catch fish just five days after fledging.

Ospreys first successfully caught fish 11 days after eclosion, and all ospreys in the study managed to catch fish around day 21.

Juvenile ospreys try to catch the same fish as adults, but are not fully competent until about 5 to 6 months old. Interestingly, some juvenile ospreys have been spotted foraging with their siblings and are thought to learn some foraging skills by watching them.

Juvenile osprey and fish caught from water

When Do Baby Ospreys Catch Their First Fish?

In a North American study, juvenile ospreys made their first catch at 11 days of fledgling when they were just two months old. By day 21, all juveniles in the study had successfully caught one fish.

The hunting ability of ospreys is thought to be innate, as the birds released by humans seem to hunt instinctively without looking at their parents. However, some ospreys have been observed watching their siblings hunt, and they may learn some foraging skills from them.

How long do baby ospreys stay with their parents?

Ospreys have a long period of infancy, just over 50 days. Once fledgling, they remain close to their parents for a month or two, or until migration time in early to mid-fall.

Juvenile ospreys stay in the wintering grounds for 1 to 2 years, while adults return the following spring to breed. As a result, young ospreys become independent fairly quickly, especially compared to other young raptors who may live with their parents for a year.

Three juvenile ospreys with adult female fish in nest

Do baby ospreys migrate?

Juvenile ospreys migrate in the fall, but unlike adults, they stay in their wintering grounds for more than one winter. In fact, some birds in Europe have been found to overwinter for two or even three wintering seasons before returning in spring.

Juveniles also take different migration routes, tending to follow coastal or water routes rather than across land.

Osprey migration is complex, and the reasons why juvenile osprey behave differently during migration and overwintering are poorly understood. For example, longer migration routes may indicate that birds are practicing long-distance flights.

Close up of a perched young juvenile Osprey

Do young ospreys visit their parents?

Ospreys stay in the nest for about 50 to 55 days. Both parents care deeply about their children. Once fledgling, young ospreys quickly become independent and are ready to hunt after two to three weeks.

They will remain close to their parents for the next two months or so until fall/autumn migration. Juvenile ospreys usually migrate alone, while adults sometimes form small flocks.

How long do baby osprey feathers last?

After about 1.5 to 2 years, ospreys will completely molt their juvenile feathers. After that, they have another 1 to 2 years to become sexually mature and ready to reproduce.