Eastern osprey diurnal birds of prey, toes are of equal length, its tarsi are reticulate, and its talons are rounded, rather than grooved. The eastern and western osprey ("Pandion") and owls (Strigiformes) are the only hunters whose outer toe is reversible, allowing them to grasp their prey with two toes in front and two behind. This is particularly helpful when they grasp slippery fish. The states and territories of Australia where the species is recorded as occurring are Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, The range is a narrow strip at the coast and offshore islands, although it
Brazza's martin the type specimen. This species was often called the "Congo martin", but this invites confusion with the Congo sand martin or Congo martin, "Riparia congica". The "Phedina" species are members of the swallow family of birds, and are classed as members of the Hirundininae subfamily, which comprises all swallows and martins except the very distinctive river martins. DNA sequence studies suggest that there are three major groupings within the Hirundininae, broadly correlating with the type of nest built. These groups are the "core martins", including burrowing species like the sand martin; the "nest-adopters", which are birds like the tree swallow