Western osprey in Dominican Republic

The osprey is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range.

The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica.

The osprey has several adaptations that suit its piscivorous lifestyle. These include reversible outer toes, sharp spicules on the underside of the toes, closable nostrils to keep out water during dives, and backward-facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help hold slippery fish, and dense plumage which is oily and prevent its feathers from getting wet.