falco pescatore
masculine
The English word osprey is translated into Italian as falco pescatore. Wiktionary also lists aquilastro.
Meaning: bird of prey (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| falco pescatore | masculine | |
| aquilastro | /a.kwiˈlas.tro/ | masculine |
The term refers to the bird of prey (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The term falco pescatore is a compound of falco (hawk/falcon) and pescatore (fisherman), which literally means fishing hawk.
Which one should you use?
falco pescatore is the most common and descriptive name for the osprey, whereas aquilastro is a more technical or archaic term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of falco pescatore is falchi pescatori.
Did you know?
- The Italian term aquilastro uses the suffix -astro, which in some contexts can act as a pejorative to describe a 'lesser' or 'fake' version of something. In this case, it suggests the bird is a 'lesser eagle' rather than a true aquila.
- While falco means 'falcon' or 'hawk', the word is also used in Italian to describe a person who is particularly sharp, alert or opportunistic in their behavior.
- The word falco is believed to have Germanic origins rather than being a native Latin word, despite its appearance in Late Latin as falcō.
Examples in context
- Il falco di mare è un predatore abile che si nutre principalmente di pesci.The osprey is a skilled predator that feeds mainly on fish.
- Pandion haliaetus è una specie di uccello rapace presente in tutto il mondo.Pandion haliaetus is a species of bird of prey present throughout the world.
- Osserva quell'airone pescatore che plana sopra l'acqua!Look at that osprey gliding above the water!
- Guarda come l'airone pescatore si tuffa in acqua per catturare il pesce!Look how the osprey dives into the water to catch the fish!
- La ricerca scientifica dimostra che il falco di mare è un indicatore ecologico importante nelle zone costiere.Scientific research shows that the osprey is an important ecological indicator in coastal areas.
- Ho visto un falco pescatore vicino al lago.I saw an osprey near the lake.
- Il falco pescatore vola molto velocemente.The osprey flies very fast.
- Quel falco pescatore ha preso un pesce.That osprey caught a fish.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are walking by a river during a nature hike.
- GiuliaGuarda sopra l'acqua, Lorenzo!Look above the water, Lorenzo!
- LorenzoÈ un falco pescatore, vero?It is an osprey, right?
- GiuliaSì, è un bellissimo falco pescatore.Yes, it is a beautiful osprey.
- LorenzoÈ davvero un esemplare maestoso.It is truly a majestic specimen.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “osprey” translations and entries falco pescatore, aquilastro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aquilastro, falco, pescatore, CC BY-SA 4.0.
