Known locally as the “Fish Hawk”, the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is one of Tobago’s most impressive seasonal visitors. Each year, as the northern chill sets in, these powerful raptors journey south from North America to grace our coastlines, swamps, and lagoons with their commanding presence.

With a wingspan stretching nearly 1.8 meters (6 feet), the Osprey cuts a striking figure against Tobago’s skies. Its long, angled wings form a shallow W-shaped silhouette in flight, while its sharp contrast of white underparts and brown upper feathers makes it easy to spot. A bold black streak through the eye gives it a fierce, determined look, the mark of a true hunter.

Few sights rival the Osprey’s dramatic fishing dive: it hovers above the water, locks onto its target, and plunges feet first with explosive precision, sending up a mighty splash as it grips its prey, often a fish nearly half its own length. Its talons, armed with rough, serrated pads, are built to hold even the slipperiest catch.

During Tobago’s dry season, listen for its piercing, mewing calls echoing across the wetlands, a familiar sound to those who explore the island’s wilder shores. While most Ospreys migrate north by May, a few young ones linger through the summer, adding to Tobago’s rich avian tapestry.

A symbol of strength, focus, and survival, the Osprey reminds us of the deep connection between life on this island and both the sky and the sea.