Osprey

Osprey (A. V. Ospray): Rendering in the English versions of the Hebrew "'ozniyyah" in the list of unclean birds in Lev. xi. 13 and Deut. xiv. 12. As the osprey proper (Pandion haliaetus)is not common in Palestine, "'ozniyyah" may be a generic term including several species, such as the golden, the imperial, and the short-toed eagle. The last-named is the most abundant of the eagle tribe in Palestine, and closely resembles the osprey.

In Ḥul. 62a the 'ozniyyah is described as a bird which does not sojourn in settled places. In Kelim xvii. 14 it is mentioned by the name of "'oz," and it is stated that tools were made of its wings.

Bibliography: Tristram, Nat. Hist. p. 182; Lewysohn, Z. T. p. 167.

By Emil G. Hirsch, I. M. Casanowicz.