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How to find trout? Looking at birds?

Updated: Apr 17, 2023

When comes to spotting trout some look at the water, vegetation, air pressure, water flow, weather, bugs, and the list goes on and on but have you ever thought about looking at the Birds?



Fishermen were looking at birds to spot fish for hundreds of years and there are probably millions of other ways to spot Trout in lakes or rivers but in this article, we go deep dive for birds that eat trout in North America. Next time when you search for trout in open lands or water pay attention to the birds below.



Many species of birds can be found in North America that include trout in their diet. These birds can be divided into several categories based on their habitat, hunting techniques, and the way they consume the trout.


First, let's take a look at the birds of prey that hunt for trout. These include the Osprey and the Bald Eagle. The Osprey is a medium-sized hawk that can be found near bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, where it hunts for fish. It has a wingspan of around 5 feet and is easily identifiable by its white head and underparts, dark brown back, and distinctive crooked wings. The Osprey is an expert fisher, using its sharp talons to grab the fish out of the water. It has reversible outer toes, which allow it to grasp the fish with two toes in the front and two in the back, giving it a secure hold on its prey. Once it has caught the fish, the Osprey will fly back to its nest or a perch to eat it.


The Bald Eagle is another bird of prey that feeds on trout. It is the national bird of the United States and is known for its distinctive white head and tail feathers. The Bald Eagle can be found near bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, where it hunts for fish. It has a wingspan of around 7 feet and is a powerful flyer, capable of carrying a fish weighing up to 4 pounds back to its nest. The Bald Eagle uses its sharp talons to snatch the fish out of the water and will often eat it on the spot or carry it back to its nest to feed its young.

In addition to birds of prey, several species of waterfowl feed on trout. These include the Common Merganser and the Barrow's Goldeneye. The Common Merganser is a large duck with a long, thin bill that is well-suited for catching fish. It can be found near bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, where it feeds on a variety of fish, including trout. The Common Merganser has a sleek, streamlined body that allows it to swim and dive easily in the water. It uses its sharp bill to spear the fish and then swallows it whole.







The Barrow's Goldeneye is another waterfowl that feeds on trout. It is a medium-sized duck with a round head and a distinctive white patch around its eye. It can be found near bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, where it feeds on a variety of fish, including trout. The Barrow's Goldeneye uses its sharp bill to catch the fish and then swallows it whole.


In addition to birds of prey and waterfowl, there are also several species of wading birds that feed on trout. These include the Great Blue Heron and the American White Pelican.

The Great Blue Heron is a large, long-legged bird that can be found near bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, where it feeds on a variety of fish, including trout. It has a wingspan of around 7 feet and is a graceful flyer, gliding effortlessly over the water. The Great Blue Heron uses its long, sharp bill to spear the fish and then swallows it whole.

The American White Pelican is another wading bird that feeds on trout. It is a large bird with a wingspan of around 9.5 feet and is easily identifiable by its all-white plumage and massive orange bill. The American White Pelican can be found near bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, where it feeds on a variety of fish, including trout


So next when you hike by the river bed or open lands check around you for the birds and where they feed often.




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