Definition

1. Noun:
   • Harrier (bird): A type of bird of prey belonging to the genus Circus in the family Accipitridae. These birds are characterized by their long wings, long tails, and a distinctive facial disk. They are often seen gliding low over open fields and marshes while hunting for small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
   • Spizaetus (historical/alternate classification): In some older or specific zoological contexts, particularly in French-influenced terminology, "diều mướp" may refer to birds in the genus Spizaetus (hawk-eagles). However, the primary and more common modern equivalent is "harrier."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chúng tôi nhìn thấy một con diều mướp đang bay lượn trên cánh đồng. (We saw a harrier gliding over the field.)
  • Diều mướp là loài chim săn mồi quan trọng trong hệ sinh thái đất ngập nước. (The harrier is an important bird of prey in the wetland ecosystem.)

Advanced Usage

• "Diều mướp đầm lầy": Marsh harrier. A specific type of harrier commonly found in wetland areas.

  • Khu bảo tồn này là nơi sinh sống của diều mướp đầm lầy phương Đông. (This reserve is home to the Eastern marsh harrier.)

• "Diều mướp ăn thịt": A descriptive phrase emphasizing its role as a carnivorous bird of prey.

  • Diều mướp ăn thịt chủ yếu là chuột và các loài gặm nhấm nhỏ. (The harrier primarily preys on mice and small rodents.)

Variants and Related Words

• Diều hâu (n): Hawk. A broader term for various birds of prey, typically with shorter wings and tails compared to harriers.
• Cắt (n): Falcon. Refers to birds in the falcon family, known for their speed.
• Ưng (n): Generally refers to accipiters or other hawks, often with shorter, rounded wings.

Synonyms

• Chim ưng đồng: A descriptive Vietnamese synonym meaning "field falcon/hawk," sometimes used for harriers due to their habitat.
• Chim cắt đồng: Another descriptive term, "field falcon."

Related Phrases

• Săn mồi như diều mướp: To hunt like a harrier. Describes a hunting method involving low, patient gliding over an area.
  • Kẻ săn mồi đó cứ lượn vòng tìm kiếm con mồi, y như diều mướp vậy. (That predator kept circling in search of prey, just like a harrier.)

Related Idioms

• Mắt diều mướp: Eyes like a harrier's. Used to describe someone with very sharp, keen eyesight.
  • Anh ấy có đôi mắt diều mướp, có thể phát hiện ra chi tiết nhỏ từ rất xa. (He has eyes like a harrier, able to spot small details from far away.)

1. Harrier