osprey
/'ɔspri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A large bird of prey: The osprey is a large, fish-eating bird of prey (hawk) found worldwide near bodies of water. It is known for its distinctive appearance and hunting behavior.
Usage
- The osprey is a specialized hunter, diving feet-first to catch fish from the water's surface.
- It is often seen near coasts, rivers, and lakes.
- The osprey builds large, conspicuous nests, often reused for many years.
Examples
- Noun:
- We watched an osprey dive into the lake and emerge with a fish.
- The osprey's nest atop the telephone pole is a familiar sight along the shoreline.
- Conservation efforts have helped the osprey population recover in many areas.
Advanced Usage
- "Osprey nest": Refers to the large, bulky nest, often built on man-made structures like utility poles or nesting platforms.
- The wildlife agency installed a platform to encourage osprey nesting.
- "Osprey population": Used in ecological and conservation contexts.
- The ban on DDT led to a rebound in the local osprey population.
Variants and Related Words
- Fish hawk: A common alternative name for the osprey, describing its primary diet.
- Pandion haliaetus: The scientific name for the osprey species.
Synonyms
- Fish eagle (Note: This is a less common synonym; true sea eagles are a different, though related, group of birds).
- Sea hawk (A general, informal term sometimes used).
Related Phrases
- "Osprey platform": A human-made structure erected to provide a safe nesting site for ospreys.
- Volunteers built an osprey platform to protect the birds from predators.
Noun
- large harmless hawk found worldwide that feeds on fish and builds a bulky nest often occupied for years