But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the osprey, (Deuteronomy 14:12 KJV)
“But these are the ones which you shall not eat: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard, (Deuteronomy 14:12 NASB)

Osprey Family by Phillip Simmons

I decided to revisit the Osprey because they have been actively nesting in the area the last few months and also have some new photos to share. The photo to the right is neat in that both are working to feed the little ones. They usually mate for life. Normally the male does the fishing while the female guards the nest. The Ospreys were greatly endangered with DDT, but they are making a great recovery. For the first “Birds of the Bible – Osprey,” CLICK HERE

While preparing (with e-Sword) the above verse, I again reminded that not all the translations use “osprey or ospray”. Some use “vulture” (ESV, NASB, NKJV & others) and Darby uses “sea-eagle.” This was investigated in “Birds of the Bible – Osprey II.”

The research that is being done with the DNA of birds is changing the classification of several birds. The Osprey is being affected by these changes also. They were with the New World Vultures and now that is being rethought.

There are four subspecies of Osprey (Pandionidae):

Eastern Osprey Stamp-Australia

Australia and New Guinea have an Pandion cristatus – Eastern Osprey  (non-migratory) They even have stamps with their photos. The smallest subspecies.

North America – halietus carolinensis (migratory)

Eurasia – P.h. haliaetus

P.h. ridgwayi in the Caribbean; “Caribbean subspecies Pandion haliaetus ridgwayi. Known for their very pale head and breast plumage.”

“Poole (1994) points to an interesting fact: despite its long history, Osprey has not evolved into different species.” I can believe that.

The typical lifespan is 20-25 years.

See the Osprey Page for more links, plus photos and videos. Osprey Photos

Osprey Ridgwayi from Rutland Ospreys

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Eastern Osprey by Birdway