Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

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Identification

Field notes

53-63 cm (21-25") Fairly common throughout North America. Lakes and rivers.

Long-winged bird of prey or day flying raptor with hooked bill and hooked claws. Sexes are similar. Dark brown above. White below. White head. Dark brown line through the eye.

In flight; wrist patches are conspicuous at the sharp bend in the wings. Hovers then plunges feet first for fish.

Song: loud unmusical chirping.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

1 photo

Credit: Larry Bond

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Osprey

2 rules

Rule 1 10 criteria confidence 6

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:411-osprey:1:1 Source: 411 Osprey, row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 6

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:411-osprey:2:1 Source: 411 Osprey, row 2