An osprey is a large bird of prey that hunts fish by diving into water feet-first to catch them. Sometimes called a fish hawk, an osprey can spot a fish swimming near the surface from hundreds of feet in the air, then fold its wings and plunge down in a dramatic splash. Special pads on its feet help it grip slippery fish, and its nostrils close when it hits the water.

Ospreys live near lakes, rivers, and coastlines on every continent except Antarctica. They build massive nests from sticks, often on top of telephone poles, dead trees, or special platforms people build for them. The same pair of ospreys might return to the same nest year after year, adding more sticks each season until the nest grows as big as a bathtub.

Unlike eagles, which will eat almost anything, ospreys eat almost exclusively fish. When an osprey catches a fish, it turns it headfirst while flying so the fish cuts through the air more smoothly. You might see an osprey carrying its catch to a favorite perch to eat, or bringing it back to feed hungry chicks in the nest. Their success as hunters makes them fascinating to watch: patient, focused, and incredibly skilled at their craft.