Characteristics of the Different Raptor Families
Hawk Families
Osprey
- A large eagle-like raptor that lives and nests near fresh or salt water, on treetops or on the
tops of man-made poles with platforms.
- They eat fish; and their fishing is made easy with their long legs and sharp talons.
- These raptors have long, narrow wings with a characteristic gull-like crook and dark patch at
its wrist; their back is dark brown and their breast is white.
- They have a distinct dark eye stripe (malar stripe), and lack the protective bony ridge above
the eye like other raptors.
- These raptors like to hover, and then dive into water for fish.
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Osprey - NASA photo
Osprey - NASA photo