Osprey Catches a Fish — Then a Pelican Swoops In

Quick Take

• Pelicans aren't built for speed or aggression, but one managed to pull off a mid-flight heist that left a skilled hunter with no choice but to surrender its catch. See the heist unfold →
• There's a real term for what pelicans do to other birds, and scientists say it happens far more often than most people realize. Explore kleptoparasitism →
• The size difference between a pelican and an osprey forces the smaller bird into a split-second decision with no good options. Watch the size advantage play out →
• Ospreys have remarkable adaptations that should make stealing from them nearly impossible. So why does it occasionally work anyway? Discover osprey's defenses →

Pelicans are known for both plunge-diving and feeding at the surface of bodies of water. However, they are also known for stealing prey from other birds. This act was captured by Mark Smith Photography in an Instagram reel, showing just how agile and aggressive these large birds can be when the opportunity arises.

Pelican Steals Fish from an Osprey Mid-Flight

An osprey was successful in capturing a fish from the ocean. As it emerged from the sea, the osprey took a moment to shake off extra water before continuing on its flight to enjoy its meal.

Noticing that the osprey was not paying attention to its surroundings, a pelican seized the opportunity to snatch the fish away. The pelican grabbed the fish mid-flight, putting the osprey in a difficult position.

Depending on the species, pelicans can weigh between 5.5 pounds and 33 pounds. An osprey is significantly smaller, weighing between 2.6 pounds and 4.4 pounds. With this weight difference, the osprey has to make a split-second decision. The osprey can try to fly away and outmaneuver the pelican, or it can let go to keep from being weighed down.

In this instance, the pelican managed to grab both the fish and the osprey’s talon. Consequently, the osprey chose to let go of the fish, recognizing it would not get away from the pelican.

The pelican was rewarded for its efforts with a meal it did not have to work hard for, revealing just how opportunistic pelicans truly are as feeders.

Pelicans Are Known Kleptoparasites

Pelicans are known thieves. Whenever an opportunity arises to steal prey, they attempt to do so. This behavior is known as kleptoparasitism, and pelicans are well-known practitioners.

Kleptoparasitism occurs when animals steal food from other animals’ catches. Pelicans practice this behavior quite frequently. This is especially true when resources are limited and multiple species are vying for the available prey.

Birds from which pelicans typically steal fish include:

• Osprey
• Gulls
• Herons

Pelicans are both opportunistic hunters and aggressive when hungry. Despite this, stealing fish from another bird is not always successful. Given the minimal energy pelicans expend to strip their competitors of prey, however, the attempt is worth the potential reward.

Why Pelicans Are Not Generally Successful in Taking Prey From Osprey

The pelican in the reel was very successful in its approach to stealing the fish from the osprey. However, it is uncommon for pelicans to succeed in their thievery. More often than not, the osprey sees the ambush coming and can maneuver away from the pelican, all while keeping its prey safely secure.

Ospreys are skilled hunters. They have exceptional eyesight, allowing them to see fish from a long distance. When ready to strike, ospreys will go into the water feet first. Their feathers remain dry thanks to a layer of oil that keeps ospreys from getting waterlogged. Ospreys also have a reversible outer toe that keeps the fish in place when thrashing about trying to escape.

While pelicans will try to ambush the ospreys as they come out of the water, they are rarely successful. While ospreys are busy righting themselves and securing their prey, they are still capable of outmaneuvering the heavier, slower pelicans thanks to their speed and flying skills. It is when the pelicans get a good grip on the fish that the ospreys have to decide whether to let their prey go or risk being dragged down into the water by the pelican. In the Instagram reel, the osprey chose to let go.

Pelicans are good at fishing. They have a high success rate when targeting fish. But when an opportunity presents itself to steal a meal, they will do so. They do not hesitate to steal another bird’s prey, as captured so brilliantly by Mark Smith Photography several weeks ago.