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|subclass=Neornithes
|subclass=Neornithes
|infraclass=Neoaves
|infraclass=Neoaves
|superorder=Passerimorphae
|superorder=
|order=Accipitriformes
|order=Accipitriformes
|suborder=
|suborder=Accipitres
|infraorder=Falconides
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|superfamily=Accipitroidea
|families=
|families=
|family=Accipitridae
|family=Pandionidae
|subfamily=Pandioninae
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|supertribe=
|tribe=
|tribe=
|binomialname=
|binomialname=
|syn=
|syn=
|sub=P. h. carolinensis<br/>P. h. cristatus<br/>P. h. haliaetus<br/>P. h. ridgwayi
|sub=
|alt=
|alt=
|regionimg=
|regionimg=
|pop=
|pop=500,000+ (2016 est.)<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22694938/93478747#population</ref>
|conservation=
|conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22694938/93478747</ref>
}}
}}
'''Osprey''' (''Pandion haliaetus'') is a species of [[bird of prey]] of the family Pandionidae, and commonly called "fish hawk" for their ability to dive completely in the water when catching prey.
The '''Osprey''' (Pandion haliaetus) is a [[fish-eating]] [[hawk]] found along coastlines and around [[marshes]], lakes, and rivers almost worldwide. Ospreys are often seen [[flying]] over water searching for prey, then hovering and plunging feet first to capture a fish in their talons (fish are normally carried head first and belly down). [[Bald Eagles]] may sometimes chase them and force them to drop their catch. During migration, Ospreys may be seen far from water, even over deserts. Migrants travel singly, not in flocks. The Osprey's diet consists almost entirely of fish, generally in the range of 10 to 30 inch in length. Rarely, small mammals, birds, or reptiles may be eaten.
==Description==
The osprey is fairly large, about 20–26 inches in length, with a wingspan of 50 to 71 inches, and weigh 2.0 to 4.6 pounds. Compared to males, osprey females are 20% heavier, and their wingspan is 5-10% larger. The long wings are characteristically curved downward in the region of the carpal joint. Feathers of the upper side of the body are brown; head and lower body are white; in the area of the carpal joint there are dark brown spots, and a mottled necklace around the neck. On the side of the head there is a brown "mask" passing from the beak through the eye and neck. Beak is black with a blue cere, and the legs are light gray. Overall coloration and pattern varies among the subspecies<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256475693_Ageing_sexing_and_subspecific_identification_of_Osprey_and_two_WP_records_of_American_Osprey</ref>. Juveniles are almost indistinguishable from adult birds, but look somewhat spotty due to the light brown tips of the feathers on the outer side of the wings and tail. Their spotted necklace is less pronounced, and the iris is orange-red, whereas in adult birds it is yellow. Juveniles take on adult plumage at their 18th month.
The osprey has several distinctive morphological features that allow it to hunt for fish. The legs of the osprey, unlike the legs of other birds of prey, are longer; the claws are long, convex and curved, the outer toe freely turns back, giving the bird a zygodactyl grasp which contributes to the capture of slippery fish. Feathers have a greasy, water-repellent structure, and nasal valves protect the nostrils from ingesting water when diving.
The [[NFL]] team, [[Seattle Seahawks]] has an osprey for its mascot and logo. Other than that, ospreys are not a very common animal portrayed in the media and culture.
[[Category:Birds of Prey]]
===Name===
The word "osprey" has its roots in the Middle English word ''ospray'', which was carried over in the 15th century from the Anglo-French ''osfraie'', based in turn upon the Latin ''ossifraga'', which means "bone-breaker"<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osprey</ref>; this apparently was referring to a superficial resemblance between it and a bird then called the ''ossifrage'', which is today known as the [[lammergeier]] or bearded vulture (''Gypaetus barbatus''), which, unlike the osprey, has been known to break up and consume bones. The species genus name commemorates a king of Greek mythology, Pandion<ref>https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Pandion_I/pandion_i.html</ref>.
Mentioned in Leviticus 11:13 and Deuteronomy 14:12<ref>https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/osprey/</ref>, the osprey was not to be consumed by the Hebrews as it was considered an unclean animal<ref>https://www.biblestudytools.com/leviticus/11-13.html</ref><ref>https://www.biblestudytools.com/deuteronomy/14-12.html</ref>.
===Subspecies===
Although called fish hawk, recent molecular genetic studies have confirmed the special status of the osprey within the order Accipitriformes, placed in a separate family Pandionidae. Although debate is ongoing, researchers have come to the conclusion that all four subspecies should be considered as species in their own right<ref>http://www.raptors-international.org/book/raptors_worldwide_2004/Wink_Sauer-Guerth_2004_511-516.pdf</ref>. Indeed, Australian authorities have, with some justification, granted full species status to ''P. h. cristatus'' as the eastern osprey, ''Pandion cristatus'' <ref>https://birdssa.asn.au/images/saopdfs/Volume37/2011V37P001.pdf</ref>.
*''Pandion haliaetus carolinensis''; Canada to southern United States; winters south to Peru and Brazil
*''Pandion haliaetus cristatus''; coastal Australian mainland, Sulawesi, Java, New Guinea, New Caledonia
*''Pandion haliaetus haliaetus''; Palearctic Eurasia; winters to South Africa, India and Philippines
*''Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi''; Caribbean, including Bahamas, Cuba and Belize
==Threats==
Historically, the osprey has been threatened with extinction, with hunting and collecting cited for the species decline in much of Europe, and the use of pesticides (principally DDT) in North America which accounted for a 90% loss of the species population<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22694938/93478747#threats</ref>. An overall reduction of these factors combined with a ban on DDT in the early 1970s - aided by the bird's ability to tolerate nearby human activity - has enabled a comeback. Still, occasional shooting and windfarms have been cited as current threats.
==References==
<small><references/></small>
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]]