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Osprey

Pandion haliaetusOrder: FALCONIFORMESFamily: Osprey (Pandionidae)
Osprey Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Hooked
  • Eye Color: Yellow in adults but orange-yellow in some males. Variable in juveniles and generally darker than in adults; described as "bright orange-red to dark brownish yellow”.
  • Head Pattern: Eyeline, Plain
  • Crown Color: Brown
  • Forehead Color: White with dark eyestripe.
  • Nape Color: White
  • Throat Color: White
  • Cere color: Gray
Osprey Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 53-61 cm (21-24 in)
  • Weight: 1406 g (49.6 oz)
  • Size: Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color Primary: White, Brown
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Dark Brown
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Striped or streaked, Solid
Osprey Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Sometimes soars on thermals., Deep, slow wing beats alternate with glides.
  • Wingspan Range: 137-183 cm (54-72 in)
  • Wing Shape: Long-Wings, Tapered-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Squared Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Narrow black bars.
  • Upper Tail: Dark brown with paler bands.
  • Under Tail: White
  • Leg Color: White
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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