The Osprey is a large raptor, reaching as much as 2 feet in length with a 6-foot wingspan. Raptors hunt for food primarily on the wing by using their keen senses, especially vision, and kill prey with their talons. Sometimes called fish hawks thanks to their feeding habits, Ospreys have evolved specialized physical characteristics and behavior to assist in hunting and catching prey.

The Osprey is the only raptor whose outer toe is reversible, allowing it to grasp its prey with two toes in front and two behind. Ospreys excel at aerodynamic dives while hunting. They are known to soar high above their prey and then dive feet first at full force into the water, often fully submerging themselves to bring up their catch. Their feet have barbed pads that have evolved to help them hold onto slippery fish. They carry the fish head first to make as aerodynamic a flight as possible.

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