Pandion haliaetus
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Mass
~2 kg
Habitat
Marine
Diet
Fish and aquatic animals
How to recognize it
The Osprey is closely tied to water and makes its living almost entirely on fish. In flight it looks purposeful and easy to remember, especially when it is circling over a lake or river before a dive.
It hunts from the air, hovering for a moment and then dropping straight down with its feet first. Its call is sharp and whistle-like, and near the nest it can become especially urgent and restless.
It needs open water with a safe place to nest nearby, whether that is a river, lake, or coast. In northern areas it migrates for winter, while in warmer regions it may stay year-round; its food is mostly live fish taken near the surface.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Osprey is closely tied to water and makes its living almost entirely on fish. In flight it looks purposeful and easy to remember, especially when it is circling over a lake or river before a dive.
It hunts from the air, hovering for a moment and then dropping straight down with its feet first. Its call is sharp and whistle-like, and near the nest it can become especially urgent and restless.
It needs open water with a safe place to nest nearby, whether that is a river, lake, or coast. In northern areas it migrates for winter, while in warmer regions it may stay year-round; its food is mostly live fish taken near the surface.