Ospray

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

ozniah ( Leviticus 11:13;  Deuteronomy 14:12). The sea eagle or fish hawk, Ρandion haliaetus , the Septuagint. Or the short-toed eagle that feeds upon reptiles. The ossifrage (peres , means "the bone-breaker," the lamergeyer , Gypaetus (Eagle And Vulture Combined) barbatus , "the bearded vulture." "Ospray" is a corruption of "ossifrage." It flies in easy curving lines, and then pounces perpendicularly with unerring aim on a fish.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Ospray ( ‘oznîyyâh ,   Leviticus 11:13 ,   Deuteronomy 14:12 ). Probably the fish-eating Pandion haliaetus , which is still found in the Plain of Acre and at the Huleh. The Heb. name may have included also one or more of the smaller eagles.

E. W. G. Masterman.

King James Dictionary

OS'PRAY, n. L. ossifraga as, a bone, and frango, to break the bone-breaker.

The sea-eagle, a fowl of the genus Falco or hawk, of the size of a peacock. This is our fish hawk. It feeds on fish which it takes by suddenly darting upon them, when near the surface of the water.

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) The fishhawk.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

os´prā́ ( עזניּה , ‛oznı̄yāh  ; ἁλιάετος , haliáetos  ; Latin Pandion haliaetus ): A large hawk preferring a diet of fish. The word is found in the list of abominations only. See   Leviticus 11:13;  Deuteronomy 14:12 . The osprey was quite similar in appearance to some of the smaller eagles, and by some it is thought that the short-toed eagle is intended. But the eagle and the gier-eagle had been specified, and on account of the osprey plunging into water for food and having feet bare to the lower leg-joint and plumage of brighter and more distinctive marking, it seems very probable that it was recognized as a distinctive species, and so named separately. Moreover, the osprey was not numerous as were other hawks and eagles. It was a bird that lived almost wholly on fish, and these were not plentiful in the waters of Palestine. This would tend to make it a marked bird, so no doubt the translation is correct as it stands, as any hawk that lived on fish would have been barred as an article of diet (see Tristram, Natural History of the Bible , 182; also Studers, Birds of North America , p. 16).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Ospray, an unclean bird, which has been identified with the haliaëtus or sea-eagle. Species of this bird occur in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia.

Mr. Macgillivray describes 'its savage scream of anger when any one approaches the neighborhood of its nest, its intimidating gestures, and even its attempts to molest individuals who have ventured among its native crags.'

Mr. Selby, respecting the ospray, observes, 'It is strictly piscivorous, and is found only in the vicinity of lakes, rivers, or such pools as abound with fish. It is a powerful bird, often weighing five pounds; the limbs are very muscular in proportion to its general dimensions; its feet are admirably adapted for retaining firm hold of its slippery prey.' Mr. Montagu remarks, 'Its principal food is fish, which it often catches with great dexterity, by pouncing upon them with vast rapidity, and carrying them off in its talons.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Ospray'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/o/ospray.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.