Ospreys can be challenging to distinguish from one another. Head and body markings/shape, size, behavior, voice, and molting patterns can all help identify individuals or differentiate one from another.

Resident female (left in image above):

• Breast marked with a dark mottling of feathers (necklace)
• very slightly larger and bulkier than the male
• mostly white coloration on the nape of neck (rather than amber/buff)
• half crescent under eyes (white close to the beak)
• multiple dark spots under wings

Resident male (right in image above):

• faint necklace (compared to mom’s)
• amber/buff coloration on the nape of neck (see below)
• notably dark legs
• mostly white under wings

Amber coloration on nape of the male, unlike unlike the female.

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