raptorial
preying upon other animals; predatory.
adapted for seizing prey, as the bill or claws of a bird.
belonging or pertaining to the Raptores, a former order in which the falconiform and strigiform birds were erroneously grouped together.
Origin of raptorial
1Words Nearby raptorial
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use raptorial in a sentence
Another raptorial bird of which the nest is likely to be found in January is the Turumti or red-headed merlin (Aesalon chicquera).
A Bird Calendar for Northern India | Douglas DewarBoth species of crow seem to take great delight in teasing raptorial birds.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India | Douglas DewarTo every migratory species of raptorial bird, that captures living quarry, there is a non-migratory counterpart or near relative.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India | Douglas DewarBecause of the strong popular prejudice against raptorial birds in general, laws protecting them are usually not enforced.
Observations on the Mississippi Kite in Southwestern Kansas | Henry S. FitchThe white-eyed buzzard is almost contemptible as a bird of prey; he is a raptorial degenerate, a mere loafer.
Jungle Folk | Douglas Dewar
British Dictionary definitions for raptorial
/ (ræpˈtɔːrɪəl) /
(of the feet of birds) adapted for seizing prey
(esp of birds) feeding on prey; predatory
of or relating to birds of prey
Origin of raptorial
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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