Pandion haliaetus
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.
Length
54cm to 58cm
Wingspan
150cm to 180cm
Weight
1.2kg to 2kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Grey Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Up to 1,000 meters
Temperate, Tropical, Subtropical
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:
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