bird of prey: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Semi-Formal. Most common in natural sciences, wildlife contexts, and metaphorical use in literature/journalism.
Quick answer
What does “bird of prey” mean?
A carnivorous bird that hunts and kills other animals for food, characterized by a hooked beak, sharp talons, and keen vision.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A carnivorous bird that hunts and kills other animals for food, characterized by a hooked beak, sharp talons, and keen vision.
Any predatory or aggressively opportunistic entity (person, organization, technology) that exploits others. The term can be used metaphorically for anything that preys on the vulnerable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The collective noun 'raptor' is slightly more technical/prevalent in AmE.
Connotations
Identical core connotations of power, predation, and natural hierarchy. In metaphorical use, equally negative.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects. Slightly higher in UK due to active birdwatching (birding) culture.
Grammar
How to Use “bird of prey” in a Sentence
The [EAGLE] is a formidable bird of prey.The hills are home to many birds of prey.He was described as a financial bird of prey, circling struggling companies.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bird of prey” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The bird-of-prey silhouette was unmistakable against the sky.
- He has a bird-of-prey intensity in his gaze.
American English
- The bird-of-prey exhibit at the zoo was fascinating.
- She adopted a bird-of-prey stance, watching the negotiations closely.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The corporate raider was seen as a bird of prey, targeting undervalued firms.'
Academic
Technical/biological: 'The study analysed the migratory patterns of Palaearctic birds of prey.'
Everyday
Descriptive: 'We saw a huge bird of prey circling above the field.'
Technical
Ornithology/Conservation: 'The population dynamics of birds of prey are sensitive to pesticide bioaccumulation.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bird of prey”
- Using 'bird of prey' for any large bird (e.g., stork, heron).
- Pronouncing 'prey' as 'pray' (/preɪ/ not /preɪ/).
- Incorrect plural: 'birds of preys' instead of 'birds of prey'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in scientific and birding contexts, 'raptor' is a standard synonym for 'bird of prey'.
Yes, despite being primarily scavengers, vultures are taxonomically classified as birds of prey due to their anatomy and evolutionary lineage.
A 'bird of prey' specifically hunts live vertebrates using specialized physical traits (beak, talons). A meat-eating bird like a seagull or crow is an omnivorous scavenger, not a specialised hunter, and is not classified as a bird of prey.
In literal contexts (conservation, admiration of nature), yes. In metaphorical use for people, it is almost always negative, implying ruthlessness and exploitation.
A carnivorous bird that hunts and kills other animals for food, characterized by a hooked beak, sharp talons, and keen vision.
Bird of prey is usually formal, technical, semi-formal. most common in natural sciences, wildlife contexts, and metaphorical use in literature/journalism. in register.
Bird of prey: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːd əv ˈpreɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːrd əv ˈpreɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a bird of prey (describing a watchful, predatory stance)”
- “To have the eyes of a bird of prey (very keen observation).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PREY is what they eat. A BIRD OF PREY is a bird that lives on PREY.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREDATION IS HUNTING; A PREDATORY PERSON/ENTITY IS A BIRD OF PREY. (e.g., 'vulture funds', 'hawkish investors').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically classified as a bird of prey?