Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family, also known as the osprey family, contains a single species, Pandion haliaetus. This large, fish-eating bird of prey is found globally along coastlines and major inland waterways. Ospreys are characterized by their brown upperparts and white underparts, with distinctive white markings on their heads.12

They are skilled hunters, hovering over water before plunging feet-first to catch fish with their strong talons. The osprey's extensive breeding range covers all continents except Antarctica, though populations have shown recovery after the ban of DDT. Nests are typically large structures made of sticks, often used by multiple generations and built in trees, on islands, or on cliffs. The family Pandionidae is sometimes classified as a subfamily within the Accipitridae family, which includes hawks and eagles, within the order Falconiformes.21