#153

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Moderate Least concern Photographed

4 photos · first photographed 2026-08-09

Distribution

Range

Loads map tiles and observation data from OpenStreetMap and GBIF.

Range: iNaturalist (CC BY 4.0) · Base map: Natural Earth (public domain)

Quick facts

Group: Birds
Family: Pandionidae
Size: 1.3–1.8 m (wingspan)
Weight: 1.2–2.0 kg
Diet: Fish eater
Lifespan: 7–10 yrs
Habitat: Lakes, Rivers, Coasts

About

The osprey, historically known as sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and a wingspan of 180 cm (71 in). It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.

Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), abridged.

My photos

First Light - Osprey Gliding Past a Sunlit Mountain Farm2026-08-09 600mmf/6.31/1250ISO 2000 NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRdarktable 5.6.0Ospreyall rights reservedLukas NagelbirdPhotography, birdWatching, birding, birdsInFlight, birdsOfPrey, goldenHour, nature, naturePhotography, osprey, outdoors, pandionHaliaetus, photo, photography, raptor, wildlife, wildlifePhotography

An osprey lifts off from the bare top of a birch tree, wings raised high above its back and legs still trailing, its white underside lit by warm early-morning sun. Behind it a hazy blue-green forested mountainside recedes out of focus.

Leaving the Lookout - Osprey Lifting Off in Early Morning Light2026-08-09 600mmf/6.31/1250ISO 2500 NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRdarktable 5.6.0Ospreyall rights reservedLukas NagelbirdPhotography, birdsInFlight, birdsOfPrey, goldenHour, nature, naturePhotography, osprey, outdoors, pandionHaliaetus, photo, photography, raptor, wildlife, wildlifePhotography

An osprey glides with wings fully outstretched, its underside and shoulders lit warm gold by early morning sun. Behind it, an out-of-focus forested mountainside fills the frame, with a strip of pale blue sky at the top.

Morning Glide - Osprey Riding the First Light Below a Forested Ridge2026-08-09 600mmf/6.31/1250ISO 2200 NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRdarktable 5.6.0Ospreyall rights reservedLukas NagelbirdPhotography, birdsInFlight, birdsOfPrey, fishHawk, goldenHour, nature, naturePhotography, osprey, outdoors, pandionHaliaetus, photo, photography, raptor, wildlife, wildlifePhotography

Morning Watch - Osprey Scanning the Bog from a Treetop2026-08-09 600mmf/6.31/320ISO 800 NIKON Z 8NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRdarktable 5.4.1Ospreyall rights reservedLukas NagelbirdPhotography, birdsOfPrey, goldenHour, mountainForest, nature, naturePhotography, osprey, outdoors, pandionHaliaetus, photo, photography, raptor, wildlife, wildlifePhotography