- Pictures of All Birds
- Find Bird by Common Name
- Find Bird by Scientific Name
- Find Bird by Armenian Name
- Orders of Birds
- Distribution Maps
- Location of Armenia
- Species of Special Concern
Purchase the Field Guide
© Copyright Birds
of Armenia Project
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
(P. h. haliaetus)
| Armenian Name: | Ջրարծիվ |
|---|---|
| Species Status: | Endangered Species - Species of Special Concern |
See Plate 8 for Osprey and other similar species See Plate 13 for Osprey and other similar species in flight
| Flight Characteristics: | Long narrow wings. From below shows prominent white belly and white head with long black eyestripe; underwing shows dark carpal patch, secondaries, and tips of primaries. Glides and flaps with wings raised and bent back at their midpoint. Frequently hovers over water looking for prey. |
|---|---|
| Resident Status: | Breeding bird |
| Abundance: | Rare |
| Length: | 55-58 cm, Wing Span:145-170 cm |
| Distribution Map: | Map 26. |
| Description: | Large black and white raptor with relatively narrow wings and short tail; wings held bowed in flight. |
| Adult: | White head with dark eyestripe. Dark overall above, white below; variable pale gray band across upper breast. |
| Juvenile: | Lighter above and less marked below with narrower breast band. |
| Similar Species: | Differs from Short-toed Snake-Eagle by dark carpal patch on long narrow wings. |
| Behavior: | Often hovers before plunging feet first after fish. Perches on prominent branch or post. |
| Habitat: | Rivers, lakes, and ponds with cliffs or forests along the shore. |
| Food: | Fish, rarely frogs. |
| Nest: | Large platform of branches in tree or on cliff ledge. |
| Eggs: | 62 mm, 2-3, white, red-brown blotches. |
