raptors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raptors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to birds of prey, particularly those in the order Accipitriformes, or in a more colloquial sense, to describe certain dinosaurs or fictional creatures in popular culture. Example: "The museum's exhibit featured several life-sized models of raptors, showcasing their impressive hunting skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Unfortunately, when we don't want other raptors, such as the hen harrier, we can still make them disappear: the bird is virtually extinct in England because it is almost as good at killing grouse as City gents on a shooting weekend.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the first custodial sentence for the crime of persecuting raptors, or birds of prey, in Scotland.

The Guardian

Raptors, notably eagles, fed on carcasses laced with coyote-killing doses of a poison called 1080.

The Economist

Raptors are faring especially well in the south, but their numbers are rising in most parts of Britain.Partly this reflects climate change, suggests Simon Gillings of the BTO.

The Economist

IN HER excellent play about Enron, Lucy Prebble portrays the shadow companies set up by the energy giant as raptors, kept in the basement, but endlessly needing to be fed.

The Economist

In the first book in that sequence, "The Sword in the Stone", the magician, Merlyn, changes his young charge, Wart (really Arthur), for a time into a hawk.Like Ms Macdonald, White was intrigued by raptors.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Nor are players drawn to the West by lower local income taxes: thanks to the double-digit levies in California and Oregon, the average state and municipal tax burden in the West is virtually equal to that of the East (excluding Canada's Toronto Raptors).

The Economist

The populations of three of the park's raptors bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons have made significant recoveries after having been severely depleted in the mid-20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a full-time coach, he guided the Supersonics (1977 78 to 1984 85), winning a championship in 1978 79; the Cavaliers (1986 87 to 1992 93), who despite several strong seasons could never advance beyond the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in the play-offs; the Atlanta Hawks (1993 94 to 1999 2000); the Toronto Raptors (2000 01 to 2002 03); and the New York Knicks (2004 05).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Montenegrin centre, who leads the team in points and rebounds, is expecting a tough task inside The O2 Arena on 14 January, when the Magic face Eastern Conference rivals the Toronto Raptors.

Independent

The Orlando Magic meet the Toronto Raptors in London "We have to make sure we treat it as a business trip and not as a tourist trip when we go to London," he told a global press conference.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "raptors", be specific about the species if possible (e.g., "golden eagles", "peregrine falcons"), to provide more precise information to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using the term "raptors" for birds that primarily feed on seeds or insects, such as songbirds or waterfowl. "Raptors" are specifically birds of prey with sharp talons and hooked beaks.

Linguistic Context

The word "raptors" primarily functions as a noun, specifically the plural form of "raptor". It refers to a group of birds of prey. Ludwig showcases examples from news, encyclopedias, and literature, confirming this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "raptors" is a grammatically sound noun, frequently employed to denote birds of prey across diverse contexts. Ludwig's analysis reveals its common usage in news, encyclopedias, and science. While it maintains a neutral to formal register, it fits well in wildlife and ecological discussions. The term is not associated with frequent grammatical errors, and Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage. Alternative phrases like "birds of prey" can be used for semantic variation, maintaining clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

birds of prey

Refers to the same group of birds, emphasizing their predatory nature.

predatory birds

Highlights the hunting behavior of these birds.

hawks and eagles

Lists specific examples of raptors, providing more detail.

falconiforms

The taxonomic order to which many diurnal raptors belong.

accipitrids

Family of diurnal raptors that include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures.

hunting birds

Focuses on the action of hunting, a key characteristic of raptors.

aerial predators

Emphasizes their role as predators in the sky.

birds of prey family

Highlights the taxonomic group of birds.

taloned birds

Focuses on the characteristic of sharp talons used for hunting.

the raptorial class

Refers to the classification of birds with raptorial features.

FAQs

What are some examples of birds considered "raptors"?

Examples of "raptors" include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures. These birds are characterized by their sharp talons and hooked beaks, which they use for hunting and consuming prey.

How can I use "raptors" in a sentence?

You can use "raptors" in a sentence like: "The conservation efforts have helped increase the population of "bald eagles" and other "raptors" in the region."

What is the difference between "raptors" and "scavengers"?

"Raptors" actively hunt and kill their prey, while "scavengers" primarily feed on dead animals. Although some "raptors", like vultures, may also scavenge, their primary mode of feeding is hunting.

Which characteristics define a bird as a "raptor"?

Birds are classified as "raptors" based on their physical adaptations for hunting, which include sharp, curved talons for grasping prey, a hooked beak for tearing flesh, and keen eyesight for spotting prey from a distance.