Pandion

Pandion is a genus of birds in the family Pandionidae that includes the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) as its sole living species. Ospreys are large raptors with a dark eye stripe, pale underparts, and a brown back. They inhabit coastlines and inland waters across every continent except Antarctica and are highly migratory, often traveling thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds. Their diet consists almost exclusively of fish, which they catch by diving from a perch or while hovering over water. Adaptations for a fish-eating lifestyle include reversible outer toes, sharp talons, and excellent underwater vision. Nests are typically built high in trees or on man-made structures near water and can be reused for many years.

Taxonomically, Pandion is the sole genus in the family Pandionidae, a small group within the order Accipitriformes. The osprey is generally treated as a single species, Pandion haliaetus, with several geographic subspecies recognized by different authorities. The lineage is thought to be ancient relative to other raptors, and osprey populations show regional variation in plumage and size but remain reproductively compatible where ranges overlap.

In Greek mythology, Pandion is the name of a legendary king of Athens. In some accounts there were two rulers by this name, Pandion I and Pandion II, whose lineages were linked to the city’s royal succession and the founding myths surrounding Athens. The name is sometimes used in classical literature to signal early, foundational leadership of the city.