# Osprey

> The osprey is a fish-eating bird of prey that breeds in Europe and Asia and spends the northern winter in Africa. It can be seen fishing over the Nile in Murchison Falls from about October to April.

Source: https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/osprey

Bird · Migratory

*Pandion haliaetus*

## In brief

The osprey is a fish-eating bird of prey that breeds in Europe and Asia and spends the northern winter in Africa. It can be seen fishing over the Nile in Murchison Falls from about October to April.

## How to identify the osprey

Dark brown above and white below, with a white head crossed by a dark stripe through the eye. In flight the long wings are held with a bend at the "wrist".

## Where to see the osprey in Murchison Falls National Park

Over the Nile and the delta on boat cruises during the northern winter.

## Habitat

Rivers, lakes and coasts with clear water and fish near the surface.

## What the osprey eats

Fish, caught by plunging feet first into the water.

## Behaviour

It hovers briefly over the water, dives, and carries the fish head first to a perch.

## Best time to see the osprey

Roughly October to April. Migrant from Europe and Asia.

Last reviewed 5 October 2026. Further reading: [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey).

## At a glance

- **Scientific name**: Pandion haliaetus
- **Family**: Pandionidae (osprey)
- **Presence**: Migrant from Europe and Asia
- **Best time to see it**: Roughly October to April
- **Chance of seeing it**: Often seen
- **Size**: 50–66 cm long; wingspan 127–180 cm
- **Conservation status**: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Seen on

- [Nile River Cruises](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/activities/nile-river-cruises)
- [Bird Watching](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/activities/bird-watching)

[Plan your stay](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/contact?topic=Accommodation+and+reservations#enquire)

Or call [Whatsapp: +256 757 363362 Landline: +256 776 938 933](tel:+256757363362+256776938933)

## Questions about the osprey

### How is an osprey different from an African fish eagle?

The osprey is smaller and slimmer, white below with a dark eye-stripe, and it dives into the water feet first. The fish eagle is bulkier, with a chestnut body and an all-white head.

## More birds

- [African Jacana](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/african-jacana) (Bird · Resident): The African jacana is a chestnut waterbird with very long toes that let it walk on floating plants. It is common on the quiet, weedy edges of the Nil…
- [Shoebill](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/shoebill) (Bird · Resident · Vulnerable): The shoebill is a tall, blue-grey waterbird with a huge shoe-shaped bill, and the bird most visitors to Murchison Falls hope to see. It lives in the…
- [African Fish Eagle](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/african-fish-eagle) (Bird · Resident): The African fish eagle is a large eagle with a white head, chestnut body and black wings, seen perched in riverside trees all along the Nile in Murch…

[All birds](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/birds)

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Nile Safari Lodge, Southern bank of the River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Telephone Whatsapp: +256 757 363362              Landline: +256 776 938 933. Email info@nilesafarilodge.com. Reservations: https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/contact