osprey

[os-pree]

osprey, common name for a bird of prey related to the hawk and the New World vulture and found near water in most parts of the world. The American osprey, or fish hawk, Pandion haliaetus, has white underparts and a wingspread of 5 to 6 ft (152 to 183 cm). It feeds solely on live fish and is usually seen hovering over the water, into which it plunges feet first to grasp its prey. Ospreys are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Falconiformes, family Pandionidae.

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osprey

or fish hawk

Species (Pandion haliaetus) of long-winged hawk found along seacoasts and large interior waterways. Ospreys are about 26 in. (65 cm) long and brown above and white below, with some white on the head. An osprey flies over the water, hovers above its prey, and then plunges feet first, seizing the fish in its long, curved talons. Ospreys breed on all continents except South America, where they live only in winter. They usually nest, singly or in colonies, high in trees or on cliffs. Bioaccumulation of pesticides caused populations to dwindle in the 20th century, but they are now recovering.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Osprey, Florida

Osprey is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,143 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Osprey is located at (27.193962, -82.486012).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²), of which, 5.5 square miles (14.1 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (10.05%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,143 people, 1,965 households, and 1,383 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 759.5 people per square mile (293.0/km²). There were 2,267 housing units at an average density of 415.6/sq mi (160.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.59% White, 0.19% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.

There were 1,965 households out of which 16.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.47.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 14.0% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $55,761, and the median income for a family was $73,103. Males had a median income of $41,136 versus $25,909 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $49,862. About 3.1% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.