Back to Birdhouse Guide
Pandion haliaetus
Specialist fish-eagle of lakes, coasts, and rivers worldwide. Long-winged and brown-and-white, it hunts by diving feet-first into water from heights of 30+ ft, then carries fish away aerodynamically aligned head-first.
Widespread and abundant; no known immediate threats to the population.
Hunts almost exclusively by plunging feet-first into water from high altitude, and the only raptor with a reversible outer toe to grip slippery fish.
Carries fish head-first while flying to reduce drag, a subtle aerodynamic specialization unique to ospreys.
Long-distance migrant; many North American birds winter in Central and South America, traveling 4,000+ miles round trip.
Strong adopter of human-made platforms. Many North American populations now nest almost exclusively on artificial structures.
Breeds across most of North America near water; winters from the southern US to South America.
Common breeder on lakes, rivers, and coasts from Alaska across Canada and through the US.
Most overwinter in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.
Outside our line due to 3D-printing or height-placement limitations. We don't currently build for this species. The published nest dimensions are listed here for reference if you're sourcing or building one yourself.
Long-distance migrant, most North American Ospreys winter in Central or South America.