The osprey is a large bird with a wingspan that can exceed 180 cm (71 in). Its body is streamlined for diving with a reversible outer toe to grip slippery fish, dense plumage that repels water, and nostrils that can close during dives. The osprey’s vision is particularly well-adapted for detecting underwater prey from the air. They possess unique angling vision and can adjust for the refraction of light on the water’s surface to accurately pinpoint the location of fish.
Ospreys hunt by flying over water at heights of 10 to 40 meters (33 to 131 feet), then plunging feet-first to capture fish near the surface. Their talons are specially adapted to hold onto their aquatic prey, with spiny scales that help grip the fish securely during flight.
Historically, ospreys were threatened by the widespread use of DDT and other pesticides that contaminated water bodies and fish, their primary food source. The chemicals caused a thinning of their eggshells, leading to a significant decline in successful hatching rates. The ban on DDT in many countries, along with other conservation efforts, has led to a notable recovery of osprey populations. These efforts include establishing protected nesting sites, improving water quality, and mitigating other human impacts on their habitats.
Ospreys are generally monogamous and highly territorial during the breeding season. They often return to the same nesting site year after year, where they perform aerial displays and vocalizations to strengthen pair bonds and deter intruders. They build large stick nests atop trees, cliffs, and human-made structures, such as telephone poles and specially constructed nesting platforms.
The recovery of the osprey from near decimation is considered one of the great conservation success stories. It underscores the importance of environmental regulations and the positive impact of concerted conservation measures. The osprey serves as an indicator species for the health of aquatic ecosystems and highlights the interconnectedness of environmental health and biodiversity.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Is.
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo-Brazzaville
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
French Guiana
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Nort. Mariana Is.
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre
Saint Vincent
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts & Nevis
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks & Caicos
UAE
US Minor Is.
US Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
