Osprey files about fifty feet and above in the air and watches the waters below. Suddenly it sees a fish close to the surface. The fish is so neutral in color that normally a human eye wouldn’t notice. But the osprey sees it and plunges down to seize and hold the victim in its talons.

When hunting, the osprey usually flies back and the forth ever chosen spot slowly flapping its wings and occasionally sailing. Its downward swoop is sudden and sure. It strikes the water with a mighty splash, almost going under.

Osprey measures about two feet in length and has a wing spread of about five feet. It has a short curved beak which is not used for seizing or holding.

Instead, it uses its powerful feet and claws. The head, neck and lower parts are a pure white, expect for some dark markings. The back and wings are dark brown.

There is only one species of osprey. It breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in Malaysia, Australia and New Caledonia. Since the osprey’s only food is fish taken alive, the bird is never found far from water.

One of the peculiar things about the osprey is its huge next on topes of tall trees. It keeps adding new material every year to its old nest, which is built of various materials.