Osprey are similar to the soaring hawks in size (53 - 60 cm). Distinguishing characteristics include a black eye stripe across a white head, white underparts, and black wrist-patches under the wings. Their powerful long, narrow, slightly crooked wings can lift them out of the water after having plunged in after a fish. Their feet have spiny scales, long curved talons and a reversible outer toe, all of which increase their ability to hang onto their slippery prey.

Osprey build large stack nests (eyrie) on tops of isolated tall trees, poles or cliff pinnacles near rivers. Nests are reused in successive years, with three eggs being laid in early June. The young (eyasses) fledge after 50 days in the nest. 

Osprey have a habit of nesting on power poles has caused power interruptions in the city of Yellowknife. This has been countered by the construction of nest platforms on the poles, a joint project carried over summer by the Northern Canada Power Commission and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.