Osprey’s Victory Perch: Savoring an Atlantic Needlefish

(Sorry for the unsteady footage-I forgot my tripod!) Although the Ospreys have normally migrated south by now, many are still being seen along the Delaware coast. I watched a family of four at Burton’s Island Preserve recently. One flew to a treetop with what appears to be an Atlantic Needlefish! Watch as it eats the fish and learn about the Osprey. Usually the male Osprey shares its catch with the rest of the family, but this bird was enjoying his meal and didn’t share! I had never seen an Osprey with this type of fish, but since the Preserve is right next to an inlet spilling into the Atlantic Ocean, I’m sure there are plenty available. The Atlantic needlefish (scientific name: Strongylura marina) is a slender, elongated fish commonly found in coastal waters along the western Atlantic Ocean. It belongs to the family Belonidae and is known for its long, pointed jaws filled with sharp teeth, resembling a needle, which is how it got its name. Atlantic needlefish are found in shallow coastal waters, often near the surface. They are commonly seen in estuaries, lagoons, and even brackish waters where freshwater rivers meet the ocean. They range from Maine down to Brazil along the Atlantic coast and are also found in the Gulf of Mexico. Though they are not heavily targeted by commercial fisheries, they play a role in the marine food chain, serving as both predators and prey. Larger fish and birds often prey on them.
All videos and photos credit Wondering About Nature except: Photo of Atlantic Needlefish credit: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Equipment used:
NIKON - COOLPIX P950
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400 Digital Camera
Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip PRO Series 1 5-Section 6-In-1 Carbon Fiber Tripod

[@Cobaltdragon]

Incredible footage thank you for sharing 💕

[@Wondering_About_Nature]

I was glad to be at the right place at the right time. Wish I had remembered my tripod! It was neat seeing the needlefish since I had never seen an Osprey with one before. Thanks for watching.