bird of prey

noun

1. any of numerous predacious, flesh-eating birds, as the eagles, hawks, kites, vultures, falcons, and owls, having a sharp, downwardly curved beak, talons, and, usually, soaring flight.

bird of prey

noun

1. a bird, such as a hawk, eagle, or owl, that hunts and kills other animals, esp vertebrates, for food. It has strong talons and a sharp hooked bill raptorial

Word History and Origins

Origin of bird of prey¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Bird-of-prey here has been thought to have reference to the eagle, which was the standard of Cyrus.

From Project Gutenberg

Who call from the sunrise a Bird-of-prey, from a land far-off the Man of My counsel.

From Project Gutenberg

Its head was again like an eagle's, with a hooked bird-of-prey beak, but the expression in its brown eyes was mild.

From Project Gutenberg