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Glite Dictionary
raptorial bird

raptorial bird

7.7
A bird that catches and eats small animals like mice or fish
  • noun
  • /ræpˈtɔriəl bɜrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ave de presa
  • The eagle is a well-known raptorial bird that soars high while searching for prey.

Examples

  • A raptorial bird uses its sharp talons to catch small mammals and reptiles.

  • Researchers observed several species of raptorial birds nesting along the cliffs.

  • The raptorial bird soared high above the mountains.

  • Many raptorial birds hunt during the early morning.

  • The eagle is a well-known raptorial bird that soars high while searching for prey.

  • A raptorial bird uses its sharp talons to catch small mammals and reptiles.

  • Many raptorial birds hunt during the early morning.

Synonyms

raptor
vsraptorial bird
  • Specialized
43 7.3

A bird that hunts and eats other animals like an eagle or hawk

is the same meaning but expressed as a two-word descriptive form
bird of prey
vsraptorial bird
9 3.8

A bird that hunts and eats other animals, like eagles or hawks

has the same meaning but uses a single-word equivalent

How Predatory

raptorial bird
  • Specialized
7.7
omnivore
  • Specialized
9 3.9

Surface Forms

raptorial bird singular
raptorial birds plural

Morphology

raptorial + bird

The adjective 'raptorial' means 'pertaining to predatory hunting species', so when combined with 'bird' the phrase straightforwardly denotes a predatory bird or bird of prey. This adj+noun composition is directly compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows both constituents can predict the meaning.

Etymology

The term raptorial bird comes from an old word that means 'to grab', giving the image of a bird using sharp claws to seize live animals. That's why raptorial bird means 'a bird of prey'.