Ospreys | Pandionidae

Visarenden | Águilas pescadoras

A single species, spread over almost the whole world and wholly geared to catching fish. The outer toe can be turned backwards so that the prey is clamped between two toes in front and two behind, and the underside of the toes is covered in spiny scales that hold the slippery body; the talons are equal in length and strongly curved, the nostrils can be closed, and the dense oily plumage sheds water. The wings are long and kinked at the wrist, which allows the bird to hover: it drops feet first into the water, works its way out again, and carries the fish head forward, aligned with the body. The nest is a great heap of sticks on top of a tree, mast or crag, added to year after year.