The Osprey is a fish-hunting raptor found on every continent except Antarctica, uniquely adapted with reversible outer toes and spiny foot pads for gripping slippery fish. It plunges feet-first into water, sometimes submerging completely, and shakes itself dry mid-flight like a dog. Pairs return to the same large stick nests year after year, adding material each season.
Best time to see a Osprey
The best time to see a Osprey is March–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 134,789 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Osprey? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Osprey sightings near you
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