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Biodiversity

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Osprey
Pandion haliaeteus | Linnaeus, 1758

Characterization: This species measures 57cm. This is a large bird with a strong beak, long angled wings, ruffled neck feathers; white head and lower parts, with a wide black stripe behind its eyes that continues to the upper parts of its body, which are darkish-brown; it has a black spot near the area that meets on the underside of its wings. 

Distribution: The bird migrates from North America to Argentina and Chile. It occurs in isolation in all Brazilian regions.

Habitat: This bird lives where there are vast expanses of water; it is common in lakes, large rivers, estuaries, and near the sea coast.

Habits: Despite being more numerous at the end and in the beginning of the year, it has been seen year-round. The species migrates while still young and it takes 2-3 years to become an adult, when it returns from North America to breed. It normally lives alone, flying high or perched on isolated trees.

Diet: It feeds primarily of fish, but will eat other birds and small mammals.

Breeding: It has not been established it breeds in Brazil; most of the observations involve young birds still unable to reproduce.