Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Family: Osprey · Status: Uncommon migrant and uncommon visitor · Size: 55–63 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across Europe, Siberia, and Japan; the European and Siberian populations migrate to Africa and Southeast Asia, passing through the Middle East and Indian subcontinent respectively.

Identification

Large raptor with dark brown upperparts, brown breast band, white underparts, and a thick dark eye-stripe. In flight, long slender wings are bent at the carpals into an "M" shape, with dark patches on the underwing near the carpal joints. Juvenile has white-fringed upperparts and buffish underwing coverts.

Habitat

Coastal and freshwater areas; forages over open water.

Behaviour

Almost exclusively fish-eating; plunges feet-first into the water to catch fish.