The osprey is the bird of prey that can rotate one outer toe backward to grip slippery fish.
This unusual foot arrangement gives the osprey two toes facing forward and two facing backward when needed. Its sharply curved talons and rough, spiny footpads help secure fish during powerful dives. The osprey is also commonly called the fish hawk because fish make up almost all of its diet.
Ospreys hunt by hovering or circling above water before plunging feet-first, often completely submerging their bodies. They then turn their captured fish head-first for better aerodynamics during flight. This toe arrangement is a specialized adaptation rather than a feature shared by most hawks and eagles.
The osprey is the only living member of the genus Pandion and is found on every continent except Antarctica. Its broad global range can make it seem like an ordinary hawk, but its fishing lifestyle and reversible toe make it distinctive among birds of prey.