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This photo illustrates the division of labor between the male and female, at least at this stage of the rearing of young. The female rarely leaves the nest, being its primary defender, and tender of the young - including keeping them warm and dispensing food.

The male is the provider. He catches the food and fetches nesting material when required. Most of the time he stays away from the nest while remaining in the neighborhood.

There is only one species of Osprey in the world-wide pandionidae family of raptors. They hover, then dive from a height into water to catch fish which they carry away to eat while perched, or which they deliver to their mate and young at the nest. Their wingspan is about 63 inches and they weigh about 3.5 pounds. In New Jersey, Ospreys are currently a threatened species, but their numbers have increased dramatically from a low, reached in 1974.