"The osprey or even more particularly the western osprey (Pandion haliaetus)-- additionally called sea hawk, river hawk, as well as fish hawk-- is a diurnal, fish-eating predator with a cosmopolitan range. It is a big raptor, getting to greater than 60 cm (24 in) in size and also 180 cm (71 in) throughout the wings. It is brown on the upperparts as well as mostly greyish on the head and also underparts.

The osprey endures a wide variety of environments, nesting in any area near a body of water offering an adequate food supply. It is located on all continents other than Antarctica, although in South America it takes place only as a non-breeding migrant.

As its other common names suggest, the osprey's diet regimen is composed almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialist physical features as well as displays special behavior to assist in searching as well as capturing target. As a result of these distinct attributes, it has been given its very own taxonomic genus, Pandion and family, Pandionidae. 3 subspecies are normally identified; one of the former subspecies, cristatus, has actually just recently been given complete types status and is described as the eastern osprey. "