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

The Chicago study comes at a time when the poisonings of high-profile birds of prey have helped launch rat contraception studies in New York and Boston. —Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

Other presentations in the reading program included a Hawk Talk birds of prey presentation, a ventriloquist act by Marc Griffiths, Kathryn the Grape music for kids, Fleet Science Center science lesson, and Ralph’s World fun music for kids. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

While the indoor show will be missing the trees and outdoor ambiance, DeLancett and Hayes worked to craft photo ops with mermaids, fairies, wizards and birds of prey. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025

An osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey, is believed to have started the fire after dropping its lunch, a fish, onto power lines. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bird of prey

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• 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