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Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Osprey
Osprey, photographed by Chuck Homler / Focus On Wildlife

Photo: Chuck Homler / Focus On Wildlife · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Osprey

Large, mostly white raptor that cruises over lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways in search of fish. Impressively widespread: found on every continent except Antarctica. Mostly white head and underparts; dark brown back. In flight, holds wings with a kink in the wrist (shaped like an "M"). Stick nests are conspicuous on top of channel markers, utility poles and high platforms near water. Often seen plunging feet-first into water from high in the air to grab fish.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 218 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.