Osprey
Pandion haliaetus

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Specialized for catching fish, the underside of the Osprey's toes are covered with sharp spicules to aid in gripping slippery prey. Ospreys catch fish by seizing them in their talons after a spectacular crash dive in which they may become almost completely immersed. Fish of up to 4.5 pounds (2 kg) may be carried, which is appreciably more than what some adult birds weigh. Occasionally Ospreys drown through locking their talons in fish too big to lift. One fish, however, has evolved a means of escape; the Blowfish (Spheroides maculatus) can inflate itself like a football until the bird's talons lose their grip! Occasionally other prey such as snakes, frogs and small birds are also taken.

The Osprey can have a wingspan up to 72 inches (1.8 metres). It has a white crown, throat, breast, belly, and legs. Its underwings and tail are white, barred with black; the top of the wing is dark. In flight, its wings are bent forward at the wrist like a shallow capital M and the primary feathers are widely separated or slotted. The eyes are yellow and the beak is black.

The Osprey is one of the most common hawks in the world, being found on every continent except Antarctica. It is found wherever there is open water that can be fished.