Habitat includes forested areas near the Great Lakes, inland lakes and swamps. Areas are usually forested with second growth pine, aspen, and hardwood forests. Most frequent nest sites are supercanopy snags and dead-topped pines located along lake and stream shoreline, in recent clearcut areas near water, in swamp conifer stands, and on snags in marshes and bogs. Occupies a wide variety of habitat types in association with water, primarily near lakes, rivers, and along coastal waters. Diet consists mainly of fresh fish.
Ospreys primarily hover above water, then plunge to catch shallow-water fish.
Young fledge in 51-59 days. Nest in loose colonies or singly. Will readily nest in platforms built for them in marshes and flowages, and on the tops of buildings or utility poles. Nest sites may be reoccupied by the same pair year after year. Habitat loss due to lakeshore development and the destruction of nest trees is another limiting factor.