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Osprey

An Osprey sits on a bare branch, looking off to the right, against an overcast sky. A blurry tree can be seen in the background. The Osprey has a white body and brown wings, with a brown stripe going from its eye to the back of its head. It has a curved beak. It grasps what looks like a piece or two of grass or pine needle in its foot.

This Osprey took me by surprise. While walking in a park with my dad, I happened to look up and saw it perched high on an open branch. Later, when I was reviewing the photos I'd snapped, it surprised me again. But first, let's talk about Ospreys.

Ospreys have an openness about them that I find refreshing. Eagles and other birds of prey are always exciting to spot, but I see them so rarely. Ospreys, on the other hand, put themselves out there. In a parking lot full of noisy cars and people pushing shopping carts, Ospreys build their nests high above the hustle. On a long road out to the beach lined with light poles, Ospreys find a nice open place to sit. They are a little bit of wild, and I'm always happy when I see one.

A close up of an Osprey, sitting on a branch, looking off to the left. It grasps what looks like grass or pine needles in one of its feet.


Like Great Horned Owls, Ospreys have four toes, and they can rotate one to help them catch prey.[1] Ospreys love fish. Fish are their main food source, and during nesting season, male Ospreys will deliver fish to the mother and babies.[2]

As I said above, I got a second surprise when I was reviewing the photos. That's because I knew the Osprey had spotted us, but I wasn't aware it had engaged in a staring contest with the camera until I came across this look:

An Osprey sits on a bare branch and stares directly at the camera. Its eyes are yellowish.


Let's zoom in a little closer, for good measure.


A more tightly cropped version of the photo above this, where the Osprey is staring directly into the camera.



Now imagine how it feels to be a fish.

The Details:

Common Name: Osprey
Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus
Family: Pandionidae
Seen: High up on an open branch in a park that is near the water.
Month: September
Range: A truly international bird, according to The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota, the only continent that the Osprey hasn't been found on is Antarctica.[3] They may only be found in some areas during parts of the year, so take a look at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website's helpful range map that covers parts of the world, including the contiguous United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and other parts of Central America.[4]

Learn More About Ospreys:

  1. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Osprey: Overview. All About Birds.
  2. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (n.d.). Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
  3. The Raptor Center. (n.d.). Osprey. The University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine.
  4. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Osprey: Range map. All About Birds. 


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