OSPREY

 

207*.                OSPREY.                Pandion haliaetus

USA              26

The osprey historically known as sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant.

As its other common names suggest, the osprey's diet consists almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialised physical characteristics and unique behaviour in hunting its prey. Because of its unique characteristics it is classified in its own taxonomic genus, Pandion, and family, Pandionidae.

OSPREY

Photographed at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal March 2017

1004                       OSPREY  (Western)                   Pandion haliaetus

NEPAL                   62

Found in lakes and large rivers. 55-58 cm. Generally frequent and locally fairly common winter visitor, passage migrant and non-breeding resident.

OSPREY

Photographed in north-west Bali October 2016

(see   207)              OSPREY                 Pandion haliaetus

INDONESIA (Bali)         (67)      

Found in brackish lagoons and along sheltered coastal estuaries; sometimes seen over open sea and far inland along rivers and reservoirs. Eats only fish. 55 cms. Ranges worldwide: partly migratory; widespread but scare throughout Indonesia; mainly a non-breeding visitor but also a resident on many islands in the east.

Note: identified in the scope, photographed at a great distance in a storm.

Update: The Australian sub-species has now been given full species status.

EASTERN OSPREY

Photographed at Palm Beach, Queensland, July 2014

207      EASTERN OSPREY          Pandion haliaetus

Australia       (207)

Also known as Fish Hawk. 50-65 cm, span to 1.7 m, female larger. Range all around coast of mainland except from Adelaide to NSW border. Found on coast, estuaries, bays and inlets, does venture inland.

NOTE: There were four recognised sub-species of Osprey around the world. This Australian sub-species, cristatus, has now been classified as its own species, Eastern Osprey (2016)

This and photograph below photographed at Lincoln National Park, South Australia March 2015