PHOENIX — Can you identify this bird that took a break on top of the 12News building during the 6 p.m. newscast?
Most viewers who sent in feedback say it’s an osprey.
The bird stayed perched on the roof throughout the newscast… watching over the Valley like a hawk.
The National Audubon Society says ospreys are fish hawks and are “often seen flying over the water, hovering, and then plunging feet-first to catch fish in its talons.” The birds are found in Arizona, according to the Tucson Audubon Society, usually near lakes and other larger water bodies.
The osprey is the “only bird of prey that plunge-dives to catch live fish as its main source of food (99% of the time). And it’s very good at it, typically catching fish on 25% of attempts (sometimes up to 70%), with an average hunting time of about 12 minutes,” according to the Tucson Audubon Society said.
The bird stayed in the same spot throughout the hour-long newscast.
Who knows, maybe it will join us again tomorrow!
Explore amAZing people, places, and things across our state on our 12News YouTube playlist here.
