01/16/2025
Ever wonder what the purpose of the coloration of feathers are or the black eye stripe is for the osprey (Pandion haliaetus)? In biology, this is known as countershading. An Osprey wears light feathers on the underside of its body and dark feathers on top. The white feathers on its chest look like the light colors of the clouds to its prey like any fish swimming underneath. The dark colors camouflage the Osprey from its predators, large eagles that attack from above, particularly when they’re sitting on their nest. The brown and white barred, or evenly striped, feathers on the underside of an Osprey’s wings and tail help hide its shape in flight. To camouflage its head, an Osprey wears dark spots on top, and a distinctly dark stripe through its eye area, like wraparound sunglasses. This eye stripe, which is called a malar stripe, may reduce the glare from the water. Do you think football players were mimicking Ospreys when they decided to put black lines under their eyes on game day?
