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Osprey

Pandion haliaetusOrder: FALCONIFORMESFamily: Osprey (Pandionidae)

Breeding Location:

Lakes, Seashore, rocky or sandy, Rivers



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Common in coastal range, uncommon inland.



Egg Color:

Pink or white marked with brown and olive



Number of Eggs:

3



Incubation Days:

32 - 43



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Sticks, sod, cow dung, seaweed, rubbish.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Osprey: Large raptor, dark brown upperparts contrast with white underparts, faint breast band. Small, white head has dark crown, eyestripe. Dark bill. Wings held at a distinct angle in flight, with underwing showing barred flight feathers and diagnostic dark patches on forewing. Gray legs and feet.

Range and Habitat

Osprey: Worldwide distribution except Antarctica; found near large bodies of water.

Breeding and Nesting

Osprey: Three pink or white eggs, marked with olive and brown, are laid in a bulky nest made of sticks built in a large tree; sometimes nests in loose colonies. Incubation ranges from 35 to 40 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Osprey: Feeds exclusively on fish, usually twice daily, in mid-morning and late afternoon. Forages by flying over water, hovering once prey is spotted, then diving into the water feet-first to grasp prey; sometimes lays on the water and rests, but eventually takes off to find a perch to eat its meal.

Vocalization

Osprey: Utters a short, tuneful whistle. Also makes alarm calls, begging calls, etc., in a voice that is, for the size of bird, most unimpressive.

Similar Species

Osprey: Bald Eagle is larger with an entirely white head and tail, and dark underparts and underwings.

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Family
Species Pandion haliaetus
Length21 - 24 Inches
Wingspan63 Inches

Osprey

Osprey: Large raptor, dark brown upperparts contrast with white underparts, faint breast band. Small, white head has dark crown, eyestripe. Dark bill. Wings held at a distinct angle in flight, with underwing showing barred flight feathers and diagnostic dark patches on forewing. Gray legs and feet.

● Song: "chewk-chewk-chewk"

● Foraging & Feeding: Osprey: Feeds exclusively on fish, usually twice daily, in mid-morning and late afternoon. Forages by flying over water, hovering once prey is spotted, then diving into the water feet-first to grasp prey; sometimes lays on the water and rests, but eventually takes off to find a perch to eat its meal.

● Breeding & nesting: Osprey: Three pink or white eggs, marked with olive and brown, are laid in a bulky nest made of sticks built in a large tree; sometimes nests in loose colonies. Incubation ranges from 35 to 40 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Osprey: Bald Eagle is larger with an entirely white head and tail, and dark underparts and underwings.

Flight Pattern

Sometimes soars on thermals., Deep, slow wing beats alternate with glides.
Osprey Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Osprey: Worldwide distribution except Antarctica; found near large bodies of water.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationCommon in coastal range, uncommon inland.
MigrationMigratory
Weight49.6 Ounces