Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are found throughout the World on every continent except Antarctica. These large raptors hunt mainly fish, so they are usually found near water and are most common in coastal regions and in other areas with shallow, fish-filled waters. Ospreys are dark brown above and white below with a white head and a dark brown stripe through the eye.

Ospreys are uncommon here in Tucson and in the surrounding Sonoran Desert because of our lack of abundant surface water, but they can be seen at ponds and reservoirs during spring and fall migration.

I spotted this Osprey perched in a palm tree overlooking the largest pond in Agua Caliente Park in early September here in Tucson. The ponds at Agua Caliente Park are not very large, but they are filled with a variety of large, non-native cichlids, so the Osprey was probably finding plenty to eat.