ExploreBird

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

The Osprey is a large bird that loves to fish! It has beautiful brown and white feathers and can be seen near water. Ospreys build big nests high up in trees or on tall poles.

Habitat: Near lakes, rivers, and oceans

Appearance

The Osprey is a large raptor with dark brown upperparts and crisp white underparts, featuring a distinctive dark eye-stripe across a white head. Its wings show a characteristic M-shape in flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyPandionidaeGenusPandion

Osprey

Interesting facts

An Osprey can twist a captured fish mid-air to fly with it head-first!

Ospreys are found on every continent except icy Antarctica!

Some Ospreys migrate over 6,000 miles each year, crossing continents!

Their huge stick nests can sometimes grow taller than an adult person!

Special abilities

Osprey has spiky pads on its feet and reversible outer toes that help them grip slippery fish.

Osprey can plunge feet-first into water from great heights to snatch fish, often fully submerging.

Osprey has dense, oily feathers that help them shed water quickly after diving, allowing immediate flight.

Osprey carries caught fish head-first in flight, reducing wind resistance and making transport easier.

Measurements & details

Length: 50-66 cm
Wingspan: 145-170 cm
Weight: 0.9-2.1 kg
Lifespan: 15-20 years
Top Speed: 80 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 34-37 days
Migration Distance: 5000 km

Diet & Feeding

These magnificent raptors are almost entirely fish-eaters, masterfully catching their prey from water.

Primary Foods

Perch
Trout
Carp
Mullet
Pike

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

A common prey item in freshwater habitats.

hunts

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Often caught in lakes and slow-moving rivers.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Opportunistically preys on eggs and chicks in unattended nests.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.