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

Tour Russborough House, a Georgian treasure filled with centuries of fine art, then step outside for a thrilling falconry demonstration as birds of prey soar just overhead. —AFAR Media, 29 July 2025

The bigger threat to outdoor cats is coyotes, which also hunt smaller animals but go after cats more often than birds of prey do. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 7 July 2025

But the idea that birds of prey — hawks, eagles and other raptors — have ever looked towards humans as a credible food source is more the stuff of mythology than reality. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

Snail Kite—The One-Snail Wonder The snail kite, a bird of prey native to the wetlands of Florida and parts of Latin America, is a textbook example of dietary specialization. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 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