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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bird of prey rebounded from being nearly wiped out in the 1950s to over 80 active territories by 2022, according to the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026 Based on the bestselling memoir from Helen Macdonald, H is for Hawk tells the emotional true story of a university professor who is stricken with grief, following the unexpected death of their father - ultimately finding comfort and a new purpose in life, by training a Goshawk bird of prey. Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Garden snakes have important roles in your landscape, eating insects and invertebrates such as slugs and providing food for birds of prey such as hawks and owls. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026 Highlights include discussions about birds of prey, growing food at home, fly fishing in Florida, making mocktails, coffee talk and perfecting chicken tortilla soup. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bird of prey

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bird of prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20of%20prey. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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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