duck hawk

American  

noun

1. a peregrine falcon of the American subspecies Falco peregrinus anatum, noted for its especially swift flight.

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duck hawk British  

noun

1. a variety of peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus anatum, occurring in North America

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Etymology

Origin of duck hawk

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

I was thinking about the duck hawk.

From Literature

One day I was in the valley digging tubers and collecting the tiny new dandelion shoots when Frightful saw another duck hawk and flew from my shoulder like a bolt, pulling the leash from my hand as she went.

From Literature

The fuzzy body rocked, the tail spread to steady it, and the little duck hawk almost sighed as she sank into the leaves, sleeping.

From Literature

“I’ll get a duck for our pretty duck hawk. That’ll get her in the net in two seconds.”

From Literature

“She is a peregrine falcon, or a duck hawk, as these wonderful birds were once called. “She was late in migrating south this year and came over White Man Mountain on a chilly day.

From Literature