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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Osprey

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Name

Osprey

Scientific Name

(Pandion haliaetus)

Why they are special:
  • Known as the “fish hawk,” Ospreys are expert anglers, diving feet-first into the water to catch fish with incredible precision.

  • They are one of the most widely distributed raptors in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.

Size and color:
  • Large raptor, 21–23 inches long with a wingspan of 59–71 inches.

  • Dark brown upperparts and white underparts.

  • White head with a distinct dark eye stripe, yellow eyes, and long, narrow wings with a bend at the “wrist.”

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round resident, especially abundant along coasts, lakes, and rivers.

  • Northern populations migrate to Florida in winter, increasing local numbers.

Habitat:
  • Coastal shorelines, bays, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

  • Often seen soaring overhead or perched on snags, utility poles, or nesting platforms.

Diet:
  • Almost exclusively fish, which make up about 99% of their diet.

  • Captures prey by diving into the water feet-first, using sharp talons with reversible outer toes and spiny foot pads to grip slippery fish.

Behavior:
  • Typically solitary or in pairs; pairs return to the same nest year after year, often adding new sticks each season.

  • Nests are large stick platforms built in tall trees, on snags, or on artificial platforms near water.

Conservation notes:
  • Populations declined in the mid-20th century due to DDT pesticide use but have rebounded strongly since protections were enacted.

  • Today, Ospreys are considered a conservation success story in Florida.

Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially while fishing along coastal waters and large lakes.

Fun Fact:
  • Ospreys have reversible outer toes, allowing them to grasp fish with two toes forward and two back—perfect for holding slippery prey.
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