> I know Ospreys are making a comeback in Europe as well as North
> America, but do they also inhabit the southern hemisphere? Would
> there be an advantage for a left-footed Osprey in the southern
> hemisphere as mirrored by a right-footed Osprey in the northern
> hemisphere? (Or vice-versa). Boy, what an idea for a graduate
> thesis!
>
> Bruce Helmboldt

They don't breed in South America or Africa south of the Equator, but they
do breed all around the coast of Australia. Of course, northern birds
winter through much of S.A. and Africa, and I suppose they'd have to change
their footedness when they arrived on their wintering grounds (doubtless
they use both feet at the Equator on the way south and north).

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416