Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Aves › Accipitriformes › Pandionidae › Pandion
Conservation status: least_concern
The osprey is a large fish-eating bird of prey with distinctive white underparts, dark upper wings, and a characteristic dark stripe through its eye, making it easily recognizable near water. It's the only raptor in North America that regularly plunges feet-first into water to catch fish, and it can rotate its outer toe backward to grip slippery prey.
How To Identify
The osprey has a medium-large, robust build, characterized by contrasting brown feathers on its back and brilliant white undersides.
Habitat
The Osprey lives in large clear lakes and rivers.
Behaviour
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) exhibits the behavior of hovering before plunge-diving and nests on poles and platforms.
Native Range
The osprey is found in temperate and tropical regions of all continents, except Antarctica.
Did You Know?
The only raptor that plunges feet-first into water; reversible outer toes grip slippery fish.
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