Do Osprey Have Their Own Taxonomic Classification?

Osprey

Q: Do osprey have their own taxonomic classification?

A: Yes, osprey are the only species in the Pandionidae family in the entire world. They are also the only raptor with a unique foot morphology adapted for catching fish. Osprey talons are more curved than other raptors, and they have spines on the pads of their feet that adhere especially well to fish scales. They can also rotate their outer toe so that two toes face forward and two face backward, which helps them grip fish.

Osprey can be found near almost any body of water, but they primarily breed in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. They prey typically breed from the Cascade Ranges to Lake Tahoe, and along the coast south to Marin County. For more information visit CDFW’s Raptors of California webpage.

Leopard Shark

Q: I heard about a leopard shark sighting in Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Is that unusual?

A: No, it is not unusual. Lake Merritt connects to the San Francisco Bay via bays and estuaries and nearshore in both kelp forest and sandy environments. They are abundant along sandy beaches of Southern and central California. During the fall, large numbers may be found in San Francisco and Monterey bays.

If you’re interested in marine species, consider subscribing to CDFW’s Marine Region News Service. Subscribers receive news and blog posts about fishing regulation changes, interesting fish and