Rendering in the English versions of the Hebrew "'ozniyyah" in the list of unclean birds in Leviticus 11:13 and Deuteronomy 14:12. 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 17:14 it is mentioned by the name of "'oz," and it is stated that tools were made of its wings.