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short-toed eagle

short-toed eagle

9.1
A large bird of prey with short toes that often hunts snakes
  • noun
translation icon : águila de patas cortas
  • The short-toed eagle is commonly found in open habitats where it hunts snakes and other reptiles.

Examples

  • Due to habitat loss, the population of short-toed eagles has been steadily declining in some regions.

  • Birdwatchers were excited to spot a short-toed eagle soaring over the forest.

  • The short-toed eagle soared high in the sky.

  • Have you ever seen a short-toed eagle in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers were excited to spot a short-toed eagle soaring over the forest.

  • The short-toed eagle is commonly found in open habitats where it hunts snakes and other reptiles.

  • Due to habitat loss, the population of short-toed eagles has been steadily declining in some regions.

Synonyms

harrier eagle
vsshort-toed eagle
8.4

A large bird of prey like a hawk or eagle that hunts small animals and birds

is a single Old World species rather than a general family member
eaglehawk
vsshort-toed eagle
7.8

A large hunting bird with features of both an eagle and a hawk

is a specific Old World raptor species rather than a general type

Surface Forms

Morphology

short-toed + eagle

The meaning 'a large bird of prey with relatively short toes' is directly and literally composed from 'short-toed' (short + toed = having short toes) modifying 'eagle'. This adjective+noun composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Short-toed eagle was named for its clear, literal parts: the bird has noticeably short toed feet, shorter than many other eagles and easy to spot when it lands or grabs snakes. So the name simply describes this particular large bird and helps people know which species is meant.