Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Accipitriformes
Family:
Pandionidae
Genus:
Pandion
Species:
P. haliaetus
Size:
L 24 inches, W 66 inches
Range
This species is seen throughout the entire continent. However, it is recovering from near extinction due to pesticide use. Fairly numeral on coasts and has expanded to interior lakes and reservoirs.
Habitat
This bird hunts fish from coasts, lakes and rivers and lives nearby.
Description
The osprey is dark above, white below with a white head and dark eye line, crown and carpal (wrist) patches. Some osprey have a necklace of breast streaks. This species is gull like in shape and buoyancy but has the width like that of an eagle.
Glides on crooked wings, dives talons first after spotting fish from a perch or while hovering and gliding. Accepts man made platforms or poles and then builds huge stick nests.