Pandion haliaetus
Lakes, rivers, and coasts in summer across most of the continent. Year-round in parts of the South. Large raptor track near water, talons long.
What does a osprey look like?
White head with a dark stripe through the eye, dark back, white underparts. Often carrying a fish.
What do osprey tracks look like?
Rarely a clear trail. A huge stick nest by water, with whitewash below, is the sign.
- Large raptor track near water, talons long
- Huge stick nest on a platform, pole, or dead tree
- White head with a dark eye stripe if seen
- Dark above, white below
- Fish scraps and whitewash under the nest
What does osprey poop look like?
Whitewash and fish remains under the nest and perch. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Lakes, rivers, and coasts in summer across most of the continent. Year-round in parts of the South. Typical places: wetland. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Bald eagle identification
- Red-tailed hawk identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What does an osprey nest look like?
A huge pile of sticks on a platform, a pole, or a dead tree near water.
How to tell a osprey from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Bald eagle. A very large bird print with deep talon holes. Adults are dark with a white head and tail.
- Red-tailed hawk. A heavy raptor print at a kill or under a perch. Broad-winged hawk.
Osprey field marks
- Large raptor track near water, talons long
- Huge stick nest on a platform, pole, or dead tree
- White head with a dark eye stripe if seen
- Dark above, white below
Where the sign shows up
Lakes, rivers, and coasts in summer across most of the continent. Year-round in parts of the South. Typical places: wetland. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
Rarely a clear trail. A huge stick nest by water, with whitewash below, is the sign. Whitewash and fish remains under the nest and perch.
Common questions
What does an osprey nest look like?
A huge pile of sticks on a platform, a pole, or a dead tree near water.