Ospreys are mainly migratory birds that have a world-wide distribution. Every continent except Antarctica hosts Ospreys during different stages of their life-cycle. They are found near the seacoast or by large bodies of water, where they feed on either fresh- or salt-water fish. There is just one species of Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, but four different sub-species.
Pandion haliaetus haliaetus
The nominate sub-species, haliaetus, breeds mainly in Europe and northern Asia, and most of these birds migrate southwards, spending the winter in Africa, India and south-east Asia. There are also a few small populations which reside for the whole year in southern latitudes along the coasts of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Persian Gulf, the Cape Verde and Canary Islands and possibly in central and western Asia. There are details here about the resident population on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis
The carolinensis sub-species breeds on the North American continent, from Alaska across Canada to the states bordering the Great Lakes and along both coasts of the United States. Most of these birds spend the winter in Central America, and parts of South America including southern Chile and Argentina. However, some of the North American birds breed as far south as Florida and the west coast of Mexico, where the climate allows them to remain on their breeding grounds throughout the winter. (Click here for pictures of Ospreys in Florida.)
Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi
Another sub-species, ridgwayi, breeds around the Caribbean region and does not migrate. This subspecies has rather distinctive plumage - click here for pictures, and the reaction they provoked when we first published them.
Pandion haliaetus cristatus
The fourth sub-species, cristatus, breeds in the southern hemisphere in Australia and some surrounding Pacific Islands. This subspecies also does not migrate.
Ospreys around the world
You can see how widespread Ospreys are by clicking here to see the variety of stamps that have been published.