Scientific Name:
Pandion haliaetus
Description
Measuring about 0.6 m/2 ft in length with a wingspan of 1.8 m/6 ft. Adults are brown with white bellies with a white head and brown stripe through the eye. Young ospreys have brown and white speckling on their backs.
Behaviors
These expert fishers can be found near bodies of water worldwide. When hunting, it locates fish from the air and then dives feet first into the water to catch its prey. Fish are consumed in a nest nearby, often in a dead tree or even on a telephone pole!
Fun Facts
When carrying fish in their talons, ospreys will turn them to reduce wind resistance.
Nature Topics
Photo credit: ©Kip Evans
Photo by Susan Lambert.
