Ospreys · Hawks and eagles
Osprey
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Pandion haliaetus
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Voice
Call
Call
How to recognize it
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55–58 cm long
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Brown back, white head and underparts; brown stripe through the eye to the neck
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Dark patches at the wrists on the undersides of the wings
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Arched wings with drooping tips in flight
About the species
Set against its white head and underside, the Osprey’s upperparts are deep brown. A dark stripe runs through each eye toward the neck, and a speckled band crosses the breast, usually more strongly marked in females. In flight, its long wings bend at the wrists, with dark patches visible underneath and finger-like feathers spread at the tips.
It searches for fish above the water, sometimes hovering briefly before plunging feet-first. It often eats from a nearby perch, and carries fish in flight with one foot ahead of the other. Its sharp whistles sound like "cheep, cheep"; calls near a nest can become a rapid, urgent "cheereek."
It hunts over lakes, rivers, reservoirs and coastal waters, nesting close to places with plenty of fish. Fish make up almost all its food, caught in a dive. Ospreys from cooler northern regions head south for winter, while many farther south stay year-round.
Where to find
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At shallow edges of lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, watch for a brief hover over the water followed by a feet-first plunge for fish.
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After a dive, scan nearby perches by the water, where a catch is often eaten.
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At breeding sites by water, look for large stick nests in tree forks, on rocky outcrops, or on tall poles — adults bring fish back to them.