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  • Osprey

Osprey

Osprey
Osprey
Osprey (juvenile)
Osprey (juvenile)
  • Scientific name: Pandion haliaetus
  • Bird family: Osprey
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Osprey call audio

Your browser does not support this audio feature.

Patrik Åberg, Xeno-canto

Key information

Seen in flight from below the osprey has white or slightly mottled underparts. The long wings are angled, bending at the 'wrist' which has a black patch contrasting with the white wing linings and at a distance it could be mistaken for a large gull.

This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing) and low breeding numbers. They are listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

What they eat:

Fish.

Measurements:

Length:
52-60cm
Wingspan:
145-170cm
Weight:
1.2-2kg

Population:

UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
UK breeding:
200-250 pairs

Identifying features:

Osprey

Adult Osprey, perched
Feather colour: Brown Cream/buff White
Leg colour: Blue
Beak: Black Medium length Hooked Powerful Chunky
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal Wetland

Similar birds:

Perched Buzzard illustration
Buzzard

Where and when to see them

The ospreys' main UK stronghold is in Scotland (with some sites in North East England) where you can visit many nest sites with public viewing facilities, including Loch Garten (Highland), Wigtown (Dumfries and Galloway) and Loch of the Lowes (Perthshire). In 2001, it began breeding in England at Bassenthwaite in Cumbria, at Rutland Water (where it was introduced) and there are two pairs with viewing facilities in Wales. They can be seen at almost any large body of freshwater during spring and autumn migration.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Osprey distribution map

Ospreys arrive back from Africa in late March and April, leaving again in August and September.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Tollie Red Kites
  • RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy
  • RSPB Loch Lomond
  • RSPB Loch Ruthven
  • RSPB Loch of Kinnordy

In more depth

Feeding and habitat

Feeding and habitat

Nesting and breeding habits

Nesting and breeding habits

Population trends

Population trends

Threats

Threats

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RSPB Loch Lomond

To transform Loch Lomond into an exciting nature reserve for birds, wildlife and people there is still work to be done.

We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy

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