Birds · Accipitriformes

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Special Concern

The Osprey, sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. A large raptor reaching 60 centimetres in length with a 2 meter wingspan, it is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts, with a black eye patch. It is found on all continents except Antarctica.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Accipitriformes

Family: Pandionidae

Genus: Pandion

Species: haliaetus

Other names: Sea Hawk, Fish Eagle, Fish Hawk

Size

Body 21 to 23 in. long; wingspan 5 to 6 ft.; weighs 3.1 to 4.4 lbs.

Habitat

Found on all continents except Antarctica, near lakes, rivers, marshes, mangroves and seashores.

Diet

Feeds on a wide variety of fish species using sharp talons; occasionally preys on rodents, rabbits, hares, amphibians, other birds and small reptiles.

Communication

Uses five different calls to communicate.

Incubation

Eggs incubate for 35–40 days; they don't hatch all at once, so some siblings are older and dominant.

Birth

Builds large nests of sticks in trees, on cliffs and elevated platforms. Females lay 2–4 eggs.

Sexually Mature

Around age 3.

Life Span

Approximately 30 years.

Did You Know?

Ospreys mate for life.