Skip to content
Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LX
Field-journal plate: Osprey
The Osprey plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LX

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Pandionidae · Taxon 116999

Length54–58 cm
Wingspan150–180 cm
Weight1.4–2.0 kg

Field marks

  1. Slender, large raptor with long, narrow wings and long legs
  2. Dark brown upperparts sharply contrast with mostly white underparts
  3. White head marked by a broad dark-brown stripe through each eye
  4. Black, strongly hooked bill; pale blue-gray feet with long curved talons
  5. In flight, wings show a distinct wrist kink forming an M-shape from below
  6. Pale underwings show dark wrist patches and barred flight feathers

HabitatFreshwater, coastal, and brackish waters with abundant fish and safe open nesting structures; occurs around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, reservoirs, and reefs.

BehaviorDiurnal fish-eating raptor; searches over water, may hover briefly, then dives feet-first to seize fish.

Palette

dark brownwhiteblackpale blue-grayyellow to orange