HYANNIS- Starting this week, Doane Beal & Ames is launching a contest to name a pair of ospreys that have set up residence on the funeral home’s chimney.
For the last four years, the pair of birds have returned to Doane Beal & Ames in the spring to build an intricate stick-and-sod nest for their eggs, which begins a five month period when the ospreys work together to raise their young.
The funeral home is seeking the community’s input to name the pair of birds before they migrate for the winter.
Ospreys are unique among North American raptors for their diet of live fish and their ability dive into water to catch them.
Due to their diet, they are often found near coastal waterways, ponds and rivers.
Sometimes confused with bald eagles, ospreys can be identified by their white under parts and a distinctive black eye stripe down the sides of their face.
They mate for life and typically return to the same nest site year after year.
North American osprey populations became endangered in the 1950’s due to the wide use chemicals that thinned their eggshells and impacted reproduction.
The birds have rebounded in numbers in recent decades, but remain scarce in some areas.
“We think it is extremely special to have these birds reside at our location,” said Chris Luciano, manager at Doane Beal & Ames.
“We also want to thank the families we have been privileged to serve for their understanding as the ospreys can be a bit noisy when people arrive and leave the building.”
The contest to name the ospreys is open to all residents of Massachusetts.
No purchase necessary.
Names for the pair of birds can be submitted in person or mailed to Doane Beal & Ames, 160 West Main St. Hyannis, MA 02601 or by email at [email protected].
Name submissions will be accepted through 5 p.m. on September 10.
The entry form can be downloaded from www.doanebealameshyannis.com.
A committee of judges, including a member from the Audubon Society will select a winner.
Two winners may be selected.
The same person does not have to submit both winning names.
Each winner will receive a Kindle Fire and be notified by September 30.
