bird of prey

American  

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.

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bird of prey British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of bird of prey

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

A Southern California driver made a startling discovery Sunday morning when they found a live bird of prey stuck in the grille of their car.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2025

How do you share a film set with a notoriously fierce bird of prey?

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

Under a bird of prey is a chivalric saying, “For God and the Empire,” and “Excellentia et Benoveleniia,” a misspelled Latin motto supposed to mean “excellence and philanthropy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025

Goldie was eventually sent to a bird of prey centre in Newent, Gloucestershire, where he died in 1986.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2025

She peered at me over her glasses; her eyes sharpened on me like a bird of prey spying a mouse.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon