Ospreys primarily eat fish, which make up about 99% of their diet. They are expert hunters and have several adaptations that make them highly effective at catching fish. Ospreys hunt by flying over water and using their keen eyesight to spot fish swimming below the surface. Once they identify a target, they hover momentarily before diving feet-first into the water to catch the fish with their sharp talons.

Their talons are specially adapted for gripping slippery fish, with reversible outer toes and barbed pads on the soles of their feet to help secure their catch. After capturing a fish, ospreys will often reposition it in their talons so that the fish is facing forward, which helps with aerodynamics during flight back to their nest or perch.