Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 22 inches Wingspan: 54 inches
* Large, narrow-winged hawk
* Flies on flat wings with distinct kink at elbow
* Wings taper to a rounded tip
* Short hooked beak
* White cap
* Dark brown eyeline broadening behind eye
* Dark brown nape, back and upperwings
* Wings from below: flight feathers white barred with black, undersecondary coverts white and underprimary coverts black producing rectangular black mark at wrist
* White chin, throat, breast and belly
* Brown tail has a number of white bands
* Hovers and then plunges into water after fish

Adult male:

* Underparts entirely white

Adult female:

* Dark necklace of streaks on throat

Immature:

* White tips to dark back feathers

Similar species:

Unmarked white belly, wing shape, and flight style make the Osprey instantly recognizable even at a distance.