Cool Facts About Ospreys

Ospreys are one of the most common and well-known birds of prey in the world. They are cool, too! Here are some fun, interesting and cool facts about Ospreys.

Birdorable Osprey
  • Ospreys are found on every continent except Antarctica. They breed on all continents except Antarctica and South America.
  • Ospreys eat a diet which consists almost exclusively of fish. This earned them the nickname "sea hawk."
  • Ospreys hunt fish by hovering over water and then diving feet first to capture prey in their powerful talons.
  • An Osprey's outer toe is reversible, which means they can carry prey (slippery fish) with two toes in front and two toes behind.
  • While flying away with the freshly-caught prey, an Osprey will manipulate the fish so that it is parallel to the bird's body, and thus aerodynamic.
  • The oldest known North American Osprey lived to be 25 years old.
  • During the mid-20th century, North American Osprey populations suffered great losses (along with other birds of prey) due to widespread use of the pesticide DDT. After DDT and other contaminants were banned, the Osprey recovered fairly quickly.
  • Ospreys make large nests on the top of dead or live trees. They will also readily use nest platforms or other man-made structures like utility poles.

We've recently updated our Birdorable Osprey cartoon. Be sure to browse through our great collection of Osprey apparel and gifts.

Comments

hate on March 30, 2017 at 5:20 AM wrote:
rubish no help
:) on July 30, 2017 at 5:40 AM wrote:
These facts are interesting and did help me understand ospreys better. Thank you! Would love to read more :)
NOT GOOD on September 3, 2017 at 9:58 AM wrote:
TERRIBLE NO HELP
hi on January 5, 2018 at 10:10 PM wrote:
hi
Bonnie Konschak on August 21, 2018 at 11:50 PM wrote:
Do osprey have more than one set of chicks? There is a nest on a pole next to a golf course and they were very active today building up their nest. They kept bringing sticks the whole time. There was a lot of loud squawking the whole time we were playing. This is in Missoula mt. So it’s getting pretty late.
the gurdle on January 10, 2020 at 5:47 AM wrote:
So'ings I used'ings this'ings for my Osprey bird'lings reporings and it'ings did really well'ings. thank you'ings
Makayla on July 16, 2020 at 6:01 PM wrote:
Would like actual interesting facts
Zakki on November 25, 2020 at 3:09 PM wrote:
no help!
krishna nagar on April 23, 2021 at 9:33 AM wrote:
hey
Spurwing Plover on June 17, 2022 at 7:41 AM wrote:
A few years ago a pair of Ospreys showed up at a Local Pond here in Etna Ca one caught a Fish from the pond
Will Dimit on February 21, 2023 at 4:02 PM wrote:
I LIVE IN FLORIDA DURING THE WINTER AND IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS HAVE SEEN OSPREYS CATCH AND EAT SQUIRRELS IS THIS NORMAL?

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