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
New York City is believed to have the largest urban population of the bird of prey, and they are frequently seen nesting on skyscraper ledges and flying across large open spaces, including Central Park's Reservoir, Jamaica Bay and Fort Washington Park.
—
Catherine Garcia, theweek, 8 Aug. 2024
The annual Bird Photographer of the Year competition highlights some of the best avian images, from graceful waterfowl to high-flying birds of prey—and many species in between.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
In previous years working with Wild Wings, the center saw birds of prey injured from hitting windows; hit by vehicles; shot by pellet or BB guns; sickened by pesticides or rat poison; or stuck in glue traps, barbed wire or fishing line.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024
Play also creates beauty in countless ways, from the aerial acrobatics of birds of prey to the arcing, twisting leaps of dolphins.
—David Toomey, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bird of prey 
Catherine Garcia, theweek, 8 Aug. 2024
The annual Bird Photographer of the Year competition highlights some of the best avian images, from graceful waterfowl to high-flying birds of prey—and many species in between.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
In previous years working with Wild Wings, the center saw birds of prey injured from hitting windows; hit by vehicles; shot by pellet or BB guns; sickened by pesticides or rat poison; or stuck in glue traps, barbed wire or fishing line.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024
Play also creates beauty in countless ways, from the aerial acrobatics of birds of prey to the arcing, twisting leaps of dolphins.
—David Toomey, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bird of prey
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird of prey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to bird of prey
Dictionary Entries Near bird of prey
Cite this Entry
“Bird of prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20of%20prey. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share