Ospreys all over

And here is one of my favourite raptor species, in this #featheredfriday monday style: ospreys!


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Osprey / Águia Pesqueira (PT) - Pandion haliaetus

They are almost impossible to mistake with any other raptor species, given their colours: white underneath, dark brown above, and a black stripe over the eyes, in a white head. And to help in the identification, if you see one, there's almost certainty that you're near water. And why? Well, because these cuties eat fish!


Funny fact about ospreys: they exist worldwide! Everywhere except Antarctica. And there are 4 subspecies, although they are all pretty similar. I've seen them in Portugal, but was never able to photograph them. But in a trip to Cuba, during a boat ride... there it was! And near a nest!


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Their body is adapted to their diet and to dive as well; they have long curved claws that would make Wolverine jealous, to help them cath those slippery fish better.


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I had to crop the hell out of this photo to zoom her, but look how big her claws are! And by the way, this one was probably a juvenile: they have an orange-red iris, that turns yellow on adulthood.


Would have loved to caught her flying, but no luck there. Nevertheless, can't complain! Happy birding everyone!

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