Osprey Pandion haliaetus a Summer breeding bird from Africa. XBIS-753
The Osprey are truly a global bird inhabiting all continents except Antarctica. Their diet consists solely of fish, therefore they live close to water ways. Osprey's have a wide distribution because they are able to live almost anywhere where there are safe nest sites and shallow water with abundant fish. Nests are generally found within 3 to 5 km of a water body such as a salt marsh, mangrove swamp, cypress wamp, lake, bog, reservoir or river. The frequency with which each of these habitat types is used varies by geographic region. Because the osprey's habitat is always closely associated with bodies of water; nests are most commonly in dead or open-topped trees, barring artificial nesting sites, they will need on artificial purpose built platforms, as well utility poles. Size: Female 60-66 cm Male 50-55 cm 183 cm (58-72 in) wingspan. Colour: Body, dark brown above and white below. Head, white except for a brown stripe from the eye to the back of the head. The tail has medium-sized, alternating, dark brown and white bands. The female Osprey had a larger band of mottling across chest. Other things to look for: Barring on underwings and tail, voice plaintive whistles. Eyes are Yellow in colour, feet appear oversized. Unlike other raptors, the Osprey has four equal toes. The outer one is reversible, enabling the bird to seize its prey with two toes pointing forwards and two pointing backwards.
Size: 3512px × 5288px
Location: Strathspey, Highland Region. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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