Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a common osprey found in 202 countries, weighing about 1.5 kg. The osprey, historically known as sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range.
About the Osprey
The osprey, 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 a wingspan of 180 cm (71 in). It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The osprey differs in several respects from other diurnal birds of prey. Its toes are of equal length, its tarsi are reticulated, and its talons are rounded, rather than grooved. The osprey and owls are the only raptors whose outer toes are reversible, allowing them to grasp their prey with two toes in front and two behind. This is particularly helpful when they grab slippery fish. The osprey is 0.9–2.1 kg (2.0–4.6 lb) in weight and 50–66 cm (20–26 in) in length with a 127–180 cm (50–71 in) wingspan. It is, thus, of similar size to the largest members of the Buteo or Falco genera.
What the Osprey sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Madagascar, Mayotte, Andorra.
When to see it
The Osprey can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Osprey on live cams
- Hellgate OspreysMissoula, Montana, USA · Streaming now
- Charlo Osprey NestCharlo, Montana, USA · Streaming now
- Chesapeake Conservancy Osprey CamChesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA · Streaming now
- Moraine State Park Osprey CamMoraine State Park, Pennsylvania, USA · Streaming now
- SuperBeaks Osprey NestCentral Florida, USA · Streaming now
- Rogers Place Osprey and Goose NestEdmonton, Alberta, Canada · Streaming now
- Savannah Osprey NestSavannah, Georgia, USA · Returns March
- Loch of the Lowes Osprey CamDunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland, UK · Streaming now
- Loch Arkaig Osprey CamLoch Arkaig, Lochaber, Scotland, UK · Streaming now
- RSPB Loch Garten Osprey CamAbernethy, Scotland, UK · Streaming now
- Dyfi Osprey ProjectMachynlleth, Wales, UK · Streaming now
- Glaslyn Osprey CamPorthmadog, Wales, UK · Streaming now
- Rutland Water Ospreys, Manton BayRutland Water, England, UK · Streaming now
- Poole Harbour Osprey CamPoole Harbour, England, UK · Streaming now
- Loch Doon Osprey CamLoch Doon, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK · Returns April
- Taipalsaari Osprey CamTaipalsaari, Finland · Streaming now
- Osprey Nest, JedwabnoJedwabno, Poland · Streaming now
- Port Lincoln Osprey CamPort Lincoln, South Australia · Streaming now
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Osprey?
- The osprey differs in several respects from other diurnal birds of prey. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Osprey?
- The Osprey is a large sized bird weighing about 1.5 kg.
- Where can you see an Osprey?
- The Osprey occurs in 202 countries, including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Mexico and Australia.
- What does an Osprey sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Osprey on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- Is the Osprey endangered?
- The Osprey is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Osprey for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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