"The osprey or more particularly the western osprey (Pandion haliaetus)-- also called sea hawk, river hawk, and also fish hawk-- is a diurnal, fish-eating predator with a cosmopolitan array. It is a big raptor, reaching greater than 60 cm (24 in) in size and also 180 centimeters (71 in) throughout the wings. It is brownish on the upperparts and also mostly greyish on the head and underparts.

The osprey endures a wide variety of environments, nesting in any type of area near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents other than Antarctica, although in South America it happens just as a non-breeding traveler.

As its other usual names recommend, the osprey's diet is composed practically specifically of fish. It possesses specialist physical qualities and displays distinct behavior to aid in searching and also catching prey. As a result of these special features, it has been provided its own taxonomic category, Pandion as well as family members, Pandionidae. Three subspecies are typically recognized; one of the previous subspecies, cristatus, has just recently been given full types status and also is described as the eastern osprey. "