Osprey

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus is a species of raptor, it is the only species found in the family Pandionidae and the genus Pandion. They are sometimes classed as a subfamily in Accipitridae, in which they are related. Together, with Cathartidae, Sagittariidae and Accipitridae, they make up Accipitrimorphae. They are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia.

"Osprey" comes from the Latin "ossifragus", meaning "bone breaker", but this name probably refers to another species. Pandion was the name of the two mythical kings of Athens; haliaetus is from the Greek hals meaning "sea" and aetos meaning "eagle".

Description
Ospreys are large, long-legged, eaglelike, fish-eating raptors. Their outer toes, like owls, are reversible; this character and the sharp spicules on the lower surface of the toes allow them to grasp slippery fish.

Similar species
Bald Eagles are larger, usually have dark bodies, fly with level wings, and lack black carpal patches on their underwings. Large gulls can appear very Osprey-like but are smaller and have shorter, pointed wings, longer necks, and unbanded tails, and lack the black carpal patches on the underwings.