A large fish-eating raptor with long, angled wings, usually seen near water and often hovering before diving feet-first for prey.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyOsprey
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatCoasts, estuaries, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and other waterways where fish are available.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Paul Driver
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
61098approx records
3states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Impressively widespread: found on every continent except Antarctica. Mostly white head and underparts; dark brown back.
Behavior
Even the few subspecies are not unequivocally separable. It is non-migratory. It is not migratory.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Western Australia
New South Wales
Northern Territory
South Australia
Victoria
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania