If you’ve ever walked near a Florida shoreline and looked up, there’s a good chance you’ve seen an osprey—sometimes called a “fish hawk”—circling high above the water, its wings bent like the letter M. With sharp yellow eyes and dark-banded wings, the osprey is one of the most skilled hunters in the sky. It lives almost entirely on fish, diving feet-first into the water at lightning speed, often rising with a wriggling catch in its talons. What makes the osprey especially fascinating is not just its skill, but its tools: it has barbed pads on its feet to grip slippery prey and a reversible outer toe that allows it to carry fish headfirst through the air, reducing wind drag as it flies.
Unlike other raptors, ospreys often live near people—they build enormous stick nests on power poles, channel markers, and even atop highway signs. These nests are reused year after year and can grow several feet wide. Both osprey parents take turns raising the chicks, and their high-pitched calls can be heard from far away, especially when young birds are hungry or learning to fly. Though ospreys are found all over the world, Florida’s long coastline, warm climate, and abundance of fish make it one of their favorite year-round homes.
Ospreys are also a conservation success story. Once threatened by pesticides like DDT that weakened their eggshells, they’ve made a strong comeback thanks to environmental protections. Today, spotting an osprey in the wild is a reminder that nature can rebound—if given the chance. Watching one dive, strike, and soar again is not just a glimpse into wild Florida—it’s a lesson in resilience, patience, and precision.
How to Spot an Osprey
Look Up Near Water
Ospreys are almost always found near rivers, lakes, bays, or the ocean. They fly high, with long, narrow wings bent at the “wrist.” If you see a large bird hovering before diving feet-first into the water—it’s probably an osprey.
Watch for the Nest
Osprey nests look like giant piles of driftwood balanced on poles or platforms. If you spot one, stop and watch. You may see an adult perched nearby or hear the shrill, whistling cries of chicks waiting for lunch.
Listen for the Sound
Ospreys don’t screech like hawks—they have a piercing, squeaky whistle. If you hear a series of cheep-cheep-cheep sounds near the water, look up!
Bring Binoculars and Patience
The best times to see ospreys hunting are early morning or just before sunset. Find a quiet spot near the water, bring binoculars, and enjoy the stillness until they show up.
~ L.S.