Bird · GBIF taxon 2480726
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusAlso known as Sea Hawk, River Hawk, Fish Hawk
Ospreys are highly specialized fish-eating raptors that plunge feet-first into lakes, rivers, and coastal waters to capture live prey. They possess reversible outer toes and barbed pads on the soles of their feet to grip slippery fish before carrying them headfirst to streamline flight. Large stick nests built atop dead trees, utility poles, or designated platforms are often reused and expanded across many breeding seasons.
RaptorPiscivoreMigratory
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Trout
- Mullet
- Flounder
Predators
- Bald Eagle
- Great Horned Owl
- Raccoon
ThreatsHabitat loss, environmental toxins, and fishing line entanglement
HabitatsLakes, rivers, estuaries, reservoirs, and coastal lagoons
Life span15 to 20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPandionidae
- SpeciesPandion haliaetus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses sharp talons and beak; maintain distance from active nests and grounded birds.
- What to notice
- Look for a large brown-and-white raptor with a dark eye stripe and an M-shaped wing profile in flight.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from active nests and use binoculars for viewing.
Responsible observation
- Locate Nests: Look for massive stick platforms built atop power poles, dead trees, or specialized nest towers near water.
- Listen for Calls: Identify their presence by listening for sharp, high-pitched whistles given near nesting sites.
- Observe Distance: Keep a respectful distance from occupied nests to avoid alarming parents or disturbing fledglings.
Competitor (c) Thibaud Aronson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Thibaud Aronson · cc-by-sa
Co-occurring Piscivore (c) chloe ⋆˚꩜｡, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by chloe ⋆˚꩜｡ · cc-by-sa
Co-occurring Raptor Mykola Swarnyk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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