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Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Description:

The Osprey is 0.9–2.1 kg (2.0–4.6 lb) in weight and 50–66 cm (20–26 in) with a 127–180 cm (50–71 in) wingspan. The subspecies are fairly close in size, with the nominate subspecies averaging 1.53 kg (3.4 lb), P. h. carolinensis averaging 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) and P. h. cristatus averaging 1.25 kg (2.8 lb). The wing chord measures 38 to 52 cm (15 to 20 in), the tail measures 16.5 to 24 cm (6.5 to 9.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.2–6.6 cm (2.0–2.6 in).[19][20] The upperparts are a deep, glossy brown, while the breast is white and sometimes streaked with brown, and the underparts are pure white. The head is white with a dark mask across the eyes, reaching to the sides of the neck.[21] The irises of the eyes are golden to brown, and the transparent nictitating membrane is pale blue. The bill is black, with a blue cere, and the feet are white with black talons.[6] A short tail and long, narrow wings with four long, finger-like feathers, and a shorter fifth, give it a very distinctive appearance.[22]

Habitat:

Coastline

Notes:

He snuck up behind us during a photo shoot and I happened to catch a shot of him catching a sizely fish

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2 Comments

Jinga
Jinga 11 years ago

Thank you! and Of course !

ChristyHolland
ChristyHolland 11 years ago

Nice shot! Would you please add him to the Raptors of North America mission?: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8627...

Jinga
Spotted by
Jinga

Panama City, Florida, USA

Spotted on May 29, 2012
Submitted on May 30, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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