Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Overview
Description
The osprey (; Pandion haliaetus), historically known as sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts. The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant. As its other common names suggest, the osprey's diet consists almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialised physical characteristics and unique behaviour in hunting its prey. Because of its unique characteristics it is classified in its own taxonomic genus, Pandion, and family, Pandionidae.1
Taxonomy
Accipitriformes > Pandionidae (Osprey) > Vultures, Hawks, and Allies
Subspecies Seen: Osprey (American)
Sightings
Relevant Sightings
- 05-03-2024 - Ciudad de México, Mexico (First Sighting)
- 11-02-2024 - California, United States (First/Best Photo)
- 05-25-2025 - California, United States (Last Sighting)
Places Seen
- California, United States
- Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Florida, United States
Media
Photographs
Audio Recordings
No audio recordings available.