Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus) :: Raptor Facts & Information

Informative site containing, information on Osprey. This specialist raptor, also known as the Fish Eagle, Sea Hawk or Fish Hawk. Osprey are a medium sized raptor, Latin Name: Pandion Haliaetus.

Osprey on Fraser Island Australia

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Turning the fish

bird watching

Food

When an Osprey spots a fish from the air, it hovers at a height of 10 to 30 m until the fish is in a suitable position. Then, in a dramatic performance, the bird, huge yet wonderfully light, dives from the sky with its wings half closed and claws stretched forward, and disappears under the surface in a great spray of water, usually reappearing a few seconds later with a fish firmly clutched in its claws. Fortunately, the Osprey’s plumage is fine and dense, particularly on its feet, so that the bird does not get very wet.

The Osprey carries its catch headfirst in flight, using both feet to hold all but the smallest fishes. Ospreys can’t swim and have been known to drown, especially if they get their talons stuck in too large a fish and can’t take off.

Talons are ready

After taking off with fish locked in talons, the Osprey will turn the fish so that the aerodynamic head of the fish is facing forward.

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Osprey

(Pandion Haliaetus)

Description

Size: Female 60-66 cm Male 50-55 cm 183 cm (58-72 in) wingspan. Colour: Body, dark brown above and white below. Head, white except for a brown stripe from the eye to the back of the head. The tail has medium-sized, alternating, dark brown and white bands. The female Osprey had a larger band of mottling across chest. Other things to look for: Barring on underwings and tail, voice plaintive whistles. Eyes are Yellow in colour, feet appear oversized.

Unlike other raptors, the Osprey has four equal toes. The outer one is reversible, enabling the bird to seize its prey with two toes pointing forwards and two pointing backwards.

Osprey breaking in full flight

Distribution and Habitat

The Osprey are truly a global bird inhabiting all continents except Antarctica. Their diet consists solely of fish, therefore they live close to water ways. Osprey's have a wide distribution because they are able to live almost anywhere where there are safe nest sites and shallow water with abundant fish. Nests are generally found within 3 to 5 km of a water body such as a salt marsh, mangrove swamp, cypress wamp, lake, bog, reservoir or river. The frequency with which each of these habitat types is used varies by geographic region.

Because the osprey's habitat is always closely associated with bodies of water; nests are most commonly in dead or open-topped trees, barring artificial nesting sites, they will need on artificial purpose built platforms, as well utility poles.

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Out for morning Hunt

An Osprey with its wings pulled back, can reach incredible speeds, this bird is Stooping before diving feet first in the water to snare its prey.

Ornithology