Osprey Bird Facts (Pandion haliaetus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Osprey is a striking raptor with a white head, brown upperparts, and predominantly white underparts.

Its wings are long and narrow, with a distinctive bend at the 'wrist'. The bird's eyes are golden, and a dark brown stripe runs through each eye to the back of its head. The legs are long and white with large black claws.

Females are up to twenty per cent larger than males and have a more prominent brown necklace across their chest.

Juveniles resemble adults but have buff-tipped feathers on their upperparts, giving them a speckled appearance.

Size

Length

54cm to 58cm

Wingspan

150cm to 180cm

Weight

1.2kg to 2kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Grey Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Osprey is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Osprey is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Osprey can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Osprey can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Osprey is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Osprey is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Osprey is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Osprey is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Osprey is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Osprey is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Osprey is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Osprey is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Ospreys have a nearly global distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit coastal areas, estuaries, lakes, and rivers where fish are abundant. During the breeding season, they are common across North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

In winter, many Ospreys migrate to warmer regions, including Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Year-round populations exist in areas with suitable climates and fishing grounds, such as parts of Florida and the Caribbean.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Osprey. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Aruba Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile Colombia Congo Côte D'Ivoire Cuba Curaçao Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor (Timor-Leste) Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Finland France French Guiana Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Iran Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Martinique Mauritania Mexico Moldova Monaco Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea Norway Oman Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Singapore Somalia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Bahamas Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Armenia Australia China Estonia India Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Lithuania Mongolia New Caledonia Papua New Guinea Russia Solomon Islands The United Kingdom Turkey United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Albania British Virgin Islands Costa Rica Czech Republic Guadeloupe Micronesia Netherlands Slovakia Slovenia South Sudan Spain Uruguay US Virgin Islands

Species that pass through the area during migration

Afghanistan Belgium Croatia Cyprus Gibraltar Hungary Iraq Jordan Lebanon Macedonia Montenegro Palestine Saint Pierre and Miquelon Serbia Syria

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Bermuda Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Maldives Seychelles

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Osprey demonstrates exceptional agility, particularly in its fishing technique. Its ability to hover precisely, dive from heights up to 40 metres, and plunge into water to catch fish showcases remarkable aerial manoeuvrability and precision.

Strength 80

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With a robust build and specialised talons capable of grasping slippery fish, the Osprey exhibits considerable strength. Its ability to carry fish whilst in flight and construct large, sturdy nests further attests to its physical prowess.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Ospreys display high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats across multiple continents. Their ability to nest on both natural and artificial structures, coupled with their successful recovery from population declines, demonstrates remarkable adaptability to changing environments.

Aggressiveness 65

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Whilst not typically aggressive towards humans, Ospreys can be territorial during breeding season. They may exhibit defensive behaviour near nests and when competing for fish. However, they are generally less aggressive than some other raptors.

Endurance 85

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Osprey's long-distance migration, with some individuals travelling over 4,000 kilometres (approx 2,500 miles) between breeding and wintering grounds, indicates exceptional endurance. Their ability to hover for extended periods whilst fishing also suggests considerable stamina.

Diet

Ospreys are piscivores, with fish comprising 99% of their diet. They are opportunistic hunters, catching a wide variety of fish species depending on local availability. Occasionally, they may take small mammals, birds, or reptiles.

Their specialised talons and reversible outer toe enable them to grasp slippery fish effectively. Usually they will return to their nest or perch before consuming their meal.

Behaviour

Ospreys are renowned for their fishing prowess. They often hover over water before plunging feet-first into the water to catch fish. They are highly adaptable, nesting on natural and artificial structures near water bodies.

During migration, Ospreys can cover vast distances, with some individuals travelling over 4,000 kilometres (around 2,500 miles) between breeding and wintering grounds.

Vocalisation

Ospreys have a variety of calls, most commonly a series of sharp, chirping whistles that sound like 'cheep, cheep' or 'yewk, yewk'.

During courtship or when alarmed, they may produce a high-pitched, drawn-out whistle. Near the nest, pairs often engage in a 'guard call', a rhythmic series of short, sharp notes.

Nesting & Breeding

Ospreys typically form monogamous pairs, often returning to the same nesting site year after year. Breeding season varies by location but generally occurs in spring and summer. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females.

Nests are large, bulky structures made of sticks, lined with softer materials like seaweed or grass. They are usually built near water, on trees, cliffs, or artificial structures. Females lay 2-4 eggs, which are creamy-white with brown spots.

Both parents take turns to incubate the eggs for about 35-43 days. Chicks fledge at 50-55 days old but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks afterwards, learning crucial fishing skills.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While Ospreys are currently listed as Least Concern globally, they face ongoing threats from habitat loss, water pollution, and collisions with power lines.

Conservation efforts, including providing artificial nesting platforms and banning certain pesticides, have helped many populations recover from previous declines.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,200,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Ospreys near large bodies of water, including coastal areas, lakes, and rivers.
Watch for their distinctive fishing behaviour: hovering, then diving with feet outstretched.
In North America and Europe, scan for large stick nests on platforms, pylons, or dead trees near water.
Listen for their high-pitched, whistling calls, especially during the breeding season.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Fish Hawk, Sea Hawk

Family:

Pandionidae

Average Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Max Lifespan

32 years ^[4]

Predators

Adult Ospreys have few natural predators, but their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to raccoons, great horned owls, and bald eagles.

Did You Know?

Ospreys have a reversible outer toe that allows them to grasp fish with two toes in front and two behind.
They are the only hawk in North America that dives into water to catch fish.
Ospreys have been recorded diving into water from heights of up to 40 meters.