Stats

Lifespan: 10-25 yrs
Size: Large
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Pair
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Worldwide
Movement: Flight
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

The Osprey is the only hawk in the world that dives feet-first into water to catch fish, with reversible outer toes and spiny foot pads that grip slippery prey. Found on every continent except Antarctica, it is one of the most widespread raptors on Earth.

Life cycle

1.
egg
One or two eggs are incubated on a high stick nest or cliff ledge, guarded closely by the pair.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling is fed torn meat by its parents and grows quickly in a high nest.
3.
juvenile
A feathered juvenile fledges from the nest, learning to soar and to make its first kills.
4.
adult
Fully grown, hunting on its own with adult plumage.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Pandionidae
Genus: Pandion
Species: Pandion haliaetus