bird of prey

noun phrase

: a carnivorous bird (such as a hawk, eagle, vulture, or owl) that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion : raptor

Examples of bird of prey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dragonflies, birds of prey, crocodiles and elephants fill the land, water and air from edge to edge. Will Heinrich, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The bird, hatched last year, had been injured but was rehabilitated and released back into the wild Paul A. Smith Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 0:00 0:43 AD Peregrine falcons are well-known as birds of prey that can fly extremely fast and travel long distances. Paul Smith, Journal Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2024 The animals typically feed on fruits, seeds, nuts and invertebrates, the zoo added, and their main predators are large birds of prey, jaguars, ocelots and large constrictor snakes. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 7 Oct. 2023 The birds of prey are in their winter gatherings leading up to breeding season and usually congregate together around open waters. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Jan. 2024 Music, food, drinks, vendors, education booths, live birds of prey, children’s activities, field trips, more. Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Compare that to an Andean condor, the largest bird of prey in the world. Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023 In a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, it's revealed that a growing number of couples are opting for birds of prey like owls and hawks to serve as ring bearers during their nuptials. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024 The effort cost the couple about $50,000 a year to buy rodents from pet stores, laboratory animal dealers and feed stores to nourish their birds of prey. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird of prey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird of prey was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bird of prey

Cite this Entry

“Bird of prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20of%20prey. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bird of prey

: a meat-eating bird (as a hawk) that feeds partly or completely on the animals it hunts

More from Merriam-Webster on bird of prey

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