Osprey and ducklings...

Will they prey on them?

Was fishing at the camp.. tried a small bay on consecutive mornings. Saw a hen mallard with a brood the 1st. She only had 2-4 left. They were young.
2nd morning same bay, there's 2 hens kicking up a fuss. No young. I dunno if these were two different hens or if one was from the morning prior and she lost the rest. There is an active Osprey nest overlooking the bay. Got me thinking... In the past I had never even considered it. I don't see why they wouldn't?

Anyone ever witnessed it or otherwise know firsthand?

They are a bird of prey..

Eagle eat Birds, Mammals, and Fish. No reason Osprey can't eat Fish, Mammals and Birds.

Pike and snapping turtles will also eat young ducklings, so will gulls , have seen this happen on a friends farm pond.

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Originally Posted by jaycee

Pike and snapping turtles will also eat young ducklings, so will gulls , have seen this happen on a friends farm pond.

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This is much more likely ... an osprey's diet is 99% fish, there is a reason they are referred to as the "fish hawk", if fish are available, that is all they eat. Pike, bass, snappers, and storms are the biggest killers of little ducks after hatch ... seems to me the coons are a big killer of them before hatch.

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Originally Posted by Gadwall

This is much more likely ... an osprey's diet is 99% fish, there is a reason they are referred to as the "fish hawk", if fish are available, that is all they eat. Pike, bass, snappers, and storms are the biggest killers of little ducks after hatch ... seems to me the coons are a big killer of them before hatch.

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Exactly !