Osprey
A species of Ospreys, Also known as Fish Hawk Scientific name : Pandion haliaetus Genus : Ospreys
Osprey, A species of Ospreys
Also known as:
Fish Hawk
Botanical name: Pandion haliaetus
Genus: Ospreys
Photo By Soumyajit Nandy , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
This large raptor is commonly known as osprey and can be found in every continent apart from Antarctica. It nests near bodies of water as its diet is made up of mostly fish and hunts with its clear vision that can see objects in the water while flying. The Pandion haliaetus usually mates for life.
Size
50 - 66 cm
Life Expectancy
30 years
Nest Placement
Tree
Clutch Size
1 - 4 eggs
Incubation Period
1 brood
Number of Broods
36 - 42 days
Nestling Period
50 - 55 days
Feeding Habits
Osprey primarily consumes live fish (99% of diet), particularly fresh- and saltwater species measuring 6-13 inches and weighing one-third to two-thirds of a pound. They exhibit aerial fish detection and plunge-diving for prey capture. Rarely, osprey eats carrion, birds, and small mammals. Osprey's sharp vision aids in spotting underwater prey from 10-40m high.
Habitat
Osprey typically resides in areas near coastlines, rivers, lakes, and estuaries with abundant fish populations. Preferring shallow water not exceeding three feet deep for fishing, they are found in environments offering a mix of shallow, fish-filled waters and suitable nesting spots such as open, elevated locations safe from mammalian predators. Occupying a range of climates, their habitats extend through various terrains, including temperate forests and tropical mangroves, as long as these areas possess a long enough ice-free season for rearing young. Crucially, these birds require their habitat to have an accessible food source within about 12 miles from their nesting sites.
Nest Behavior
Osprey's nesting cycle begins with the male selecting a site and gathering materials while the female arranges them. Nests are expanded annually, resulting in impressive sizes over time. Pairing bonded, they share in incubation and chick rearing, with a strong focus on territory and progeny protection.
Nest Characteristics
Osprey nests are substantial structures made of sticks and lined with softer materials like bark, grasses, and flotsam. They prefer open sites on snags, treetops, cliffs, or human-made platforms, safe from predators. Mature nests can reach up to 6 feet in diameter and 13 feet deep.
Dite type
Piscivorous
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Migration Overview
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Behavior
Osprey are distinguished by their aerial prowess, characterized by strong, steady wingbeats that allow for masterful soaring and diving, though their maneuverability is more limited compared to other raptors. Often solitary, these birds tend to roost alone or occasionally in small winter groups. During breeding season, osprey exhibit a remarkable 'sky-dance' where males, sometimes bearing fish or nesting materials, perform a display consisting of hovering and swooping motions at great heights, accompanied by persistent calls. Outside the breeding season, they defend only their immediate nesting area with intensity, rather than establishing expansive territories. The daily life of osprey is deeply intertwined with their open-water habitats, as their hunting technique is finely tuned for catching fish, which comprises the bulk of their diet.
Distribution Area
One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution. The osprey is the second most widely distributed raptor species, after the peregrine falcon. It has a worldwide distribution and is found in temperate and tropical regions of all continents except Antarctica. 
Species Status
The osprey has a large range, covering 9,670,000 km (3,730,000 sq mi) in just Africa and the Americas, and has a large global population estimated at 460,000 individuals. There is evidence for regional decline in South Australia where former territories at locations in the Spencer Gulf and along the lower Murray River have been vacant for decades.
Scientific Classification
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