Any of several birds of prey that are thought to feed on rabbits; especially the red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, and the hen harrier, Circus cyaneus.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in De Bow's Review.
Definition of rabbit-hawk in US English:
rabbit-hawk
noun
US
Any of several birds of prey that are thought to feed on rabbits; especially the red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, and the hen harrier, Circus cyaneus.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in De Bow's Review.