Osprey Photo Gallery
Adult (carolinensis)
Large. Brown back and wings contrast with the white underparts. Head white with a broad brown line through the eye, beak black and strongly hooked.
© Kris Perlberg | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 26, 2017Adult (carolinensis)
Call is a high-pitched series of short whistles. The calls are often slow and paced far apart—when the speed increases, it's often a response to a threat or an unfamiliar Osprey approaching.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryMaine, June 21, 2013Not all videos have soundAdult
Flies on slightly bowed wings with a kink at the wrists, creating an M-shape when seen from below.
© Eric Liner | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 20, 2009Not all videos have soundAdult (carolinensis)
Feeds exclusively on fish.
© David Brown | Macaulay LibraryPennsylvania, April 11, 2017Adult (carolinensis)
Large raptor that eats fish exclusively. Note mostly white head with brown line behind eye.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 01, 2005Not all videos have soundAdult (carolinensis)
In flight shows white belly and underwings contrasting with brown "wrists" and strongly barred flight feathers.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 23, 2015Juvenile (carolinensis)
Juveniles have fine white spotting on the upperwings and back.
© Matt Felperin | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, July 09, 2020Adult (carolinensis) with nestlings
Builds big stick nests in trees and on open-topped platforms. Juveniles have white edging to the back and wing feathers, creating a scaly appearance.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, August 05, 2012Not all videos have soundAdult (carolinensis)
Can show a distinct crest, depending on wind direction and mood.
© Ferit Başbuğ | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 27, 2015Adult (carolinensis)
Constructs prominent large stick nests on platforms or large trees.
© Beth and Dan Fedorko | Macaulay LibraryVirginia, March 25, 2017Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.