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Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Found on every continent except Antarctica, this fish-hunting raptor dives feet-first into waters, snatching prey with razor-sharp talons.
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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