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Project Noah Nature School
Pandion haliaetus
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upper parts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts, with a black eye patch and wings.
The Osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant.
It took this Osprey about 30 minutes to finish it's fish lunch - from the time I first spotted him in front of my house, until he was done and flew away. See Video.
Spotted on Oct 30, 2011
Submitted on Oct 31, 2011
13 Comments
Thanks, CJulen!
Wow - amazing capture!! Especially love the video, and the first pic where it's looking right at you. Awesome!
Haha very true!
SheaEckert, I don't think anything was gonna keep that Osprey from sitting on that pole eating it's fish - wind, cars, people, dogs, lawn mowers, me!
SatyenMehta, Loved seeing your photos of the Osprey from your part of the world. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds like it was pretty windy! He had some great balance!
Amazing bird, great pics and video and lovely info, thanks for sharing. The best part is half way around the world these elegant birds are even found here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/750...
Anytime. You did all the work - and it shows. I just recognized that good work. :-)
So true about standing too close. I was glad I was standing to the side of him (or her). There were cars driving by, people walking dogs, it didn't seem to faze him. Thanks for your nice comments, Heather.
LaurieWinters - this must have been so awesome to see, for so long, and in such great quality video detail, and picture detail. Although, I don't think I'd stand too close, haha, from what I saw. You did an excellent job with the video. I could hear a lawnmower and it didn't seem to bother the Osprey one bit.
Thanks 1Sarah2 and lgCostaNut!
I hear the Ospreys around our neighborhood everyday and I see them up on top of the tallest trees. This was the first time I've seen one come so close to our house. I've tried to get shots and video of them but they've never been close enough to really be worthwhile, I was thrilled to get this video and shots.
I love the osprey. I live on Sanibel and Captiva Islands for a long, long time. i had an osprey perch built and the osprey cam immiediately and made a family. Now that I live in the NW of Costa Rica I see a pair periodically. Thanks for your photo!
Very nice photos!