Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Description:

Per the photos, and attached Wikipedia article...this large raptor can reach more than 24 inches in height and 71 inches in wingspan. It is brown on the upper parts and back, and off white on the head, neck and belly, with brown spotting on the underside.

Habitat:

This bird was spotted, along with its mate, building or shoring up a nest in the southern everglades at the Flamingo Visitor Center. The nest was perched on a man-made platform constructed to attract Ospreys.

Notes:

I live in southern Nevada, and we on very few occasions spot Osprey there in late Fall and Winter, presumably migrating south. In the Everglades, they are very common. They as well seem comfortable in close proximity to humans. The nest we watched was just off a well-traveled road close to the Flamingo camping area.

Species ID Suggestions

11 Comments

Jim Nelson 8 years ago

Thanks to all! This is very much appreciated.

armadeus.4 8 years ago

Congratulations Jim!!!

AshleyT 8 years ago

Congrats Jim, this great looking couple is our Spotting of the Day!

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armadeus.4 8 years ago

Wonderful series Jim! I love that first pic. Thank you for sharing :)

AshleyT 8 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!