It's great that we have a resident bird nerd on MT. I on the other hand can't differentiate between an osprey and a falcon even if my life depended on it
Ospreys are brown and white with a distinctive brown area near each eye. Ospreys eat only fish and can dive straight into the water to snag a fish. They also have a different talon configuration, two facing forward and two facing backward on each foot, that helps them carry fish straight with very low wind resistance while flying. Ospreys have a crook or bend in their wings that looks like the pattern of the letter M if you see one in flight from below. I admire Ospreys because they are very brave and will fiercely defend their nests from any other bird, even eagles.
The Peregrine Falcon is one of my favorite birds of prey because of its speed and agility. They can dive at speeds over 200 mph and are known for being much more precise and better at maneuvering in flight. Peregrine Falcons only eat other birds and are not afraid to attack any bird and knock it right out of the sky. Peregrines are just as agressive at defending their nests. I live in Florida and we have Ospreys here year-round. You can see their nests on bouy markers and telephone poles near the water.
Plus I just think both Ospreys and Peregrines just look really cool. I like owls too, but they are a much different type of bird. We have a lot of Great Horned Owls around here where I live. I hear them hooting to each other sometimes when I take a walk after dark. Great Horned Owls are really quiet in flight, their prey never even knows what hit them. I sometimes see Red-Shouldered Hawks sitting on the fence behind my house. People here sometimes have seen Peregrines near the water, but that is only during the fall when they migrate south. I have never seen one in person but I still think it is a really cool bird.
C.H.