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

In addition to environmental education and advocacy, the center’s mission includes propagating rare and endangered native plants and rehabilitating birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

In any case, the fastest airspeeds are not reached in flapping or gliding flight but in dives by birds of prey. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

Adorned with almost graphically violent labels showcasing alpha predators -- a shark, a grizzly, an orca, a lion and some sort of particularly angry bird of prey -- the bottles are a far cry from the placid villas and languorous ladies plastered across so many wines. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

Bald eagles are also a truly American bird of prey, living only within North America. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bird of prey

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

bird of prey

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