2006-06-30 00:15:18 · 16 answers · asked by Ctrt 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
A fish hawk
2006-06-30 00:17:35 · answer #1 · answered by loligo1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Osprey is in the Family Accipitridae (Hawks and Eagles) This very large group of birds ranges from the very large eagles to small hawks not much bigger than an American Robin. All are predators with hooked bills and sharply pointed talons.
Anatomically, the Osprey resembles the eagle, but its narrow wings, when outspread, are markedly angled, and the structure of its feet and claws is so peculiar that it has been placed in a separate subfamily, the Pandioninae, of which it is the sole representative.
Unlike other raptors, the Osprey has four equal toes. The outer one is reversible, enabling the bird to seize its prey with two toes pointing forwards and two pointing backwards. A long, sharp, curved claw on each toe, and short, rigid spikes, known as spicules, on the sole of each foot, give the bird a firm grip on its slippery prey, which nearly always consists of fish that the bird catches alive, hence its nickname of fishing eagle or fish hawk.
So the answer is No an osprey is not a hawk or eagle it is an Osprey!!
2006-07-05 07:30:20 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a member of the its own lineage ... neither a true hawk or eagle ... the closest relative it has is in the Kite family. Ospreys are among one of several lines of birds of prey still extant.
2006-06-30 07:12:56 · answer #3 · answered by icehoundxx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hawk
2006-06-30 00:18:21 · answer #4 · answered by MK6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a raptor.
Also known as a Fish Hawk, Sea Hawk or Fish Eagle
However it is the only member of the genus Pandion, which is in turn the only genus in family Pandionidae.
2006-07-14 00:00:08 · answer #5 · answered by Whisper4691 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Pandionidae
Sclater & Salvin, 1873
Genus: Pandion
Savigny, 1809
Species: P. haliaetus
2006-06-30 12:12:28 · answer #6 · answered by gclef090470 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. It is often known by other colloquial names such as fishhawk, seahawk or Fish Eagle.
2006-06-30 02:31:28 · answer #7 · answered by a13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a large narrow winged Hawk with a length of 22 inches and a wingspan of about 54 inches.
2006-06-30 00:23:52 · answer #8 · answered by Craftsman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a type of hawk.... The easiest way to distinguish between the two, is to look at them flying... (An opsrey's wingspan is slightly arched, whereas a hawk's wingspan is completely straight)
2006-06-30 06:03:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its both, it just depends on what name your going to use to describe it. If i where to make a choice it would be eagle as it is a fairly large bird and I think of hawks as being medium sized birds
2006-06-30 03:55:02 · answer #10 · answered by dopeysaurus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋