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Ospreys are magnificent fish-eating birds with a cosmopolitan range.

The Osprey is a unique raptor, and we’re in awe of these incredible birds not only for their stunning beauty, quirky personality, and lifestyle living near the water but also for its choice of prey.

Sushi.

Lone Rangers of Raptors

Osprey (Pandion Haliaëtus) are the “Lone Rangers of Raptors” because one of the bird’s most recognizable physical characteristics is the black mask extending from its eye, around its head and through its neck resembling the iconic mask worn by the outlaw-fighting Texas Ranger.

The Osprey has a black mask extending from its eyes, around its head and through its neck

Even though these birds resemble hawks or small eagles from a distance and are referred to as “Sea Hawks,” “Fish Hawks” or “Fish Eagles,” Ospreys are none of those.

These unique birds aren’t worthy of that comparison because they’re much more skilled anglers than those birds.

Osprey are much more skilled at fishing than most birds

Osprey has such sharp vision it can see fish underwater for as high up as 130 feet.

And they’re tenacious and strong with quirky personalities.

Fish-catching Adaptions

These gorgeous fish-eating birds have skillfully mastered the art of catching fish with such grace and style.

First, they fly or hover over the water from high up.

Then, when it spots its prey, the Osprey will hover in a spiral downward and dive into the water feet-first, submerging themselves entirely underwater in the pursuit of sushi.

Osprey’s powerful dive into the water in pursuit of a fish

After a successful strike, the Osprey lock the fish in its curved talons.

It rises heavily from the water carrying the fish head-forward with its feet to reduce wind resistance to its nest or the closest place where it can land to eat its sushi meal.

Traits of Skilled Fisherman

Ospreys have long, narrow, strong wings that enable them to fly in place so they can take their time “fishing.”

Their nostrils (nares) are also long and narrow, and capable of closing when the bird plunges into the water.

The Osprey’s nostrils close when the bird plunges into the water

The bird’s long, narrow wings are critical for getting back out of the water and designed to be extra-powerful as they try to lift off to the surface with a heavy fish in their talons.

On Osprey’s feet are the fish-catching tools themselves and are different from most other raptors.

Their toes are all equal length, and its talons are uniformly rounded instead of edged like most raptors and hooked rather than grooved making them most useful for fishing.

The Osprey has an outer toe that is reversible allowing them to grasp a slippery fish with two rows in front and two toes behind.

Their feet are covered in rough spicules that feel like coarse sandpaper helping the bird grip the slimy, wiggling fish.

As Osprey leg bones (tarsi) are longer than other raptors so they can extend their legs far in front of their faces when diving into the water feet-first.

Osprey Lift Off

An Osprey’s wings are long and broad like an Eagle’s wings to help them lift off after nabbing a fish.

But these birds do have a limit of 4 to 5 pounds if they want to get airborne with their catch.

Any catch heavier than that and they risk the possibility of drowning.

An Osprey is a magnificent sight in flight

You’re probably wondering why the Osprey just doesn’t drop the fish if it weighs too much.

The osprey’s curved talons and the backward facing scales on their feet prevent them from letting go of their prey.

Mastering the Skill of Fishing

The Osprey is by far the best of all seabirds at fishing.

The bird is so skilled that the American Bald Eagle will lurk behind waiting for the Osprey to make a big catch and attack it causing the Osprey to drop its food.

The Eagle catches the fish before it hits the water.

Osprey Nest

Ospreys chose to make themselves at home on any tall structure.

It can be on top of a telephone pole, atop of a crane, in a fork in a tall tree, at the top of the San Francisco Bay Bridge and even on the infamous NASA sign.

Osprey nest with NASA sign in the background

These birds build their nests with great creativity and use anything from twigs, sticks, driftwood, and even seaweed.

Osprey as Patients

Ospreys are quite high strung and finicky (much like cats) and are not the best patients when in rehabilitation.

It takes much persuasion to get them to eat, and they make the silliest noises and expressions.

We’ve seen Osprey in the care of Christine’s Critters, a Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education non-profit in Weston, Connecticut.

The Osprey refused to eat its sushi meal until the humans left it alone to dine in private.

But once you remember how perfect they are in the natural environment, you again are in awe of this magnificent bird.

Osprey facial expressions are hard to read because they always look the same

Seeing Osprey

These skilled hunters are found on all continents except Antarctica.

Ospreys live near waterways.

Your best chances of seeing these magnificent birds are near rivers, lakes, and the coast.

Look for these magnificent birds are near rivers, lakes, and the coast

You will see them near fresh or salt water where large numbers of fish are present.

These birds are most common around major coastal estuaries and salt marshes, but also regularly found around large lakes, reservoirs, rivers.

Conservation Status

The Audubon Society lists the Osprey as a climate-endangered species.

Osprey, like the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcons, was seriously endangered by effects of pesticides in the mid-20th century.

Since DDT and related pesticides were banned in 1972, Ospreys (and Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcone’s) have made a considerable comeback in many parts of North America.