short-toed eagle
- noun
- The short-toed eagle is commonly found in open habitats where it hunts snakes and other reptiles.
Examples
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Due to habitat loss, the population of short-toed eagles has been steadily declining in some regions.
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Birdwatchers were excited to spot a short-toed eagle soaring over the forest.
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The short-toed eagle soared high in the sky.
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Have you ever seen a short-toed eagle in the wild?
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Birdwatchers were excited to spot a short-toed eagle soaring over the forest.
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The short-toed eagle is commonly found in open habitats where it hunts snakes and other reptiles.
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Due to habitat loss, the population of short-toed eagles has been steadily declining in some regions.
Synonyms
A large bird of prey like a hawk or eagle that hunts small animals and birds
A large hunting bird with features of both an eagle and a hawk
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.