Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Family Pandionidae
Quick answer
A large fish-eating raptor found near water on every continent except Antarctica, and the only hawk that plunges feet-first to catch fish below the surface.
Quick facts
- Size
- Large; wingspan roughly 1.5–1.8 m
- Habitat
- Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, reservoirs
- Range
- Nearly worldwide; North American birds largely migrate to Central and South America
- Diet
- Almost exclusively live fish
- When to look
- Spring through autumn in most of North America; year-round in the far south
- Family
- Pandionidae
Identification
- White underparts, dark brown upperparts, bold dark eye stripe
- Distinct M-shaped kink in the wings in flight
- Dark carpal patches at the wing bends
- Hovers before diving feet-first
Behaviour
Hunts by quartering over water, hovering, then plunging. Carries fish head-forward to reduce drag. Nests on platforms, poles and channel markers, often reusing the same nest for years.
Similar species
- Bald Eagle
- Much heavier, flat-winged, and adults have a white head and tail.
- Large gulls
- Similar at distance, but lack the dark carpal patches and never hover-plunge feet-first.
Birding tips
- Watch nest platforms near bridges and marinas from spring onwards
- For flight photos, pre-focus on the hover and shoot the moment the wings close
Frequently asked questions
Is an Osprey an eagle?
No. It sits in its own family, Pandionidae, distinct from other hawks and eagles.
Do Ospreys eat anything besides fish?
Very rarely. Fish make up almost their entire diet.
Have you seen this bird?
Record the sighting and it joins your life list.
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