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Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Family:

Size:

55 to 65 centimeters (22 to 26 inches)

Weight:

1.0 to 2.0 kilograms (2.2 to 4.4 pounds)

Taxonomy:

Carl Linnaeus in 1758

Short Description:

The Osprey or more specifically the western osprey (Pandion haliaetus) — also called 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 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts. 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 specialized physical characteristics and exhibits unique behavior to assist in hunting and catching prey. As a result of these unique characteristics, it has been given its own taxonomic genus, Pandion, and family, Pandionidae. Three subspecies are usually recognized; one of the former subspecies, cristatus, has recently been given full species status and is referred to as the eastern osprey. Despite its propensity to nest near water, the osprey is not classed as a sea eagle.  The osprey is 0.9–2.1 kg (2.0–4.6 lb) in weight and 50–66 cm (20–26 in) in length with a 127–180 cm (50–71 in) wingspan. It is, thus, of similar size to the largest members of the Buteo or Falco genera. The subspecies are fairly close in size, with the nominate subspecies averaging 1.53 kg (3.4 lb), P. h. carolinensis averaging 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) and P. h. cristatus averaging 1.25 kg (2.8 lb). The wing chord measures 38 to 52 cm (15 to 20 in), the tail measures 16.5 to 24 cm (6.5 to 9.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.2–6.6 cm (2.0–2.6 in). The sexes appear fairly similar, but the adult male can be distinguished from the female by its slimmer body and narrower wings. The breast band of the male is also weaker than that of the female or is non-existent, and the underwing coverts of the male are more uniformly pale. It is straightforward to determine the sex in a breeding pair, but harder with individual birds.  The osprey is the second most widely distributed raptor species, after the peregrine falcon. It has a worldwide distribution and is found in temperate and tropical regions of all continents except Antarctica. In North America it breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland south to the Gulf Coast and Florida, wintering further south from the southern United States through to Argentina. It is found in summer throughout Europe north into Ireland, Scandinavia, Finland, and Scotland, England, and Wales though not Iceland, and winters in North Africa. In Australia, it is mainly sedentary and found patchily around the coastline, though it is a non-breeding visitor to eastern Victoria and Tasmania. Fish make up 99% of the osprey's diet. It typically takes fish weighing 150–300 g (5.3–10.6 oz) and about 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) in length, but the weight can range from 50 g (1.8 oz) to 2 kg (4.4 lb). Virtually any type of fish in that size range are taken. Ospreys have vision that is well adapted to detecting underwater objects from the air. Prey is first sighted when the osprey is 10–40 m (33–131 ft) above the water, after which the bird hovers momentarily then plunges feet first into the water. Occasionally, the osprey may prey on rodents, rabbits, hares, amphibians, other birds, and small reptiles.  In Pakistan Osprey is common and widespread winter visitor on larger inland lakes and barrage headponds. More plentiful on seashores and coastal waters. A few records of non breeders in Summers.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Bahawalpur,Rahim Yar Khan,Kasur,Multan,Attock,Khanewal,Khushab,Rawalpindi,Sialkot,Badin,Dadu,Karachi Central,Larkana,Thatta,Karachi East,Karachi South,Karachi West,Haripur,Lasbela,Mirpur
Ospreys, magnificent birds of prey, exhibit fascinating behavior centered around their remarkable fishing prowess. These skilled hunters can often be observed hovering over water bodies, scanning for fish near the surface. With lightning speed and precision, they plunge feet-first into the water to catch their prey, grasping it firmly with their powerful talons. Ospreys are also known for their strong family bonds and cooperative parenting. Both parents take part in building and maintaining the nest, incubating the eggs, and caring for the chicks once they hatch. They exhibit territorial behavior, fiercely defending their nesting sites and hunting grounds from intruders. Ospreys undertake impressive migrations between their breeding and wintering grounds, covering vast distances across continents.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

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