Aves 3D

Browse the database

• Cladogram
• Scientific Name
• Common Name
• Skeletal Element
• Temporal Interval
• Geographical Location
• Specimen Number

Links

• Encyclopedia of Life
• Wikipedia

Left Tarsometatarsus (Left Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones) of the Osprey Pandion haliaetus (MCZ 347607)

Rotate: left click on mouse
Zoom: right click on mouse (PC) or command and click (Mac)
Move: left and right click simultaneously (PC) or shift and click (Mac)

Phylogenic Position
Aves - Neognathae - Accipitriformes - Pandionidae - Pandion - Pandion haliaetus
Species Description
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is also known as a fish eagle and a sea hawk. This diurnal, raptor is 50-66 cm in length and has a wingspan of 58-72 inches. The back and dorsal wing feathers are dark brown while the ventral plumage is gray to white and sometimes striped with darker feathers. The mostly white head has darker feathers around the eyes with a dark brown stripe extending to the back of the head. Ospreys have very large feet used for grasping prey and carrying during flight. Distributed globally, the bird is found throughout all continents except Antarctica, and nests in areas with a large body of water containing an adequate food supply. The bulk of the diet consists of fish in which the bird must hunt and catch. The Osprey has many traits the make it an adept fisher such as reversible outer toes, backwards scales that keep prey from slipping from its grasp, and nostrils that close to prevent water intake. In order to catch the prey, the osprey sights the fish from 32-130 feet above the water, plunges feet first into the water, and uses both feet to carry fish. Ospreys usually begin breeding around 3-4 years of age and form lifelong partnerships with their mates. The Osprey has a unique call consisting of sharp whistles, sounding like a “cheep, cheep” or a “yewk, yewk”. Interestingly, the Osprey is not only referred to in the scientific literature but has made it into the works of Shakespeare. In Act 4, Scene 5 of Coriolanus, in a reference to how the osprey mesmerizes the fish and the fish surrenders to the osprey, Aufidius says of Coriolanus’ power over Rome: “I think he’ll be to Rome as is the osprey to the fish, who take it by sovereignty of nature.”
Specimen Information
Species	Pandion haliaetus (Osprey)
Element	Left Tarsometatarsus (Left Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
Specimen Number	MCZ 347607
Sex
Location	Ipswich, Massachusetts
Geological Age	Recent
Technical Information
Scanner	Konica Minolta Range7
Resolution	40 µm
Number of Data Points	222909
Number of Data Polygons	111462
Date Scanned	July 07, 2010
Scan Technician	Abby Grace Drake
Edited By	Maggie Johnson
Photographs
View All 3 Images
Download Digital Model	Size
STL File Not Publicly Available	11.1 MB
Other Pandion haliaetus (Osprey) Elements
Specimen	Element
MCZ 347607	Sternum (Breast Bone)
MCZ 347607	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 347607	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 347607	Right Tarsometatarsus (Right Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
MCZ 347607	Furcula (Wishbone)
MCZ 347607	Mandible (Jawbone )
Institution Data Use Policy
http://www.mcz.harvard.edu/privacy/user.html