Is "Raptor" Still an Okay Term for "Bird of Prey"?

[Henrik Petersson]

Since time immemorial, the word "raptor" has - in plain English - been a synonym for "bird of prey". However, it has recently shifted to be mostly a synonym for "dromaeosaur".

Before a certain movie came out 1993, when people said "raptors", they meant something like this:

However, since a certain movie came out in 1993, whenever someone says "raptors", they almost certainly mean something more akin to this:

The meaning of this word is relevant on a forum such as this, where a lot of people from time to time experience problems with birds of prey.

My question is, do you still think that it's okay to say "raptor" when you mean "bird of prey"?

When I say "I have a raptor problem", do I conjure up this image...

... Or this?

 

[MillersFarm]

I've always used the term "raptor" When talking about bird of prey.. Sure "dinosaurs "do come to mind when mentioning it, but I still think it's an Okay term to use.

 

[Chickassan]

I say bird...dinos are long gone so if someone thinks you have a dino issue clarification probably won't mean much anyway.

 

[drumstick diva]

right on Chickassan - as they say "when you hear hoof beats think horse not zebra."

 

[CCUK]

In UK we have the raptor alliance. I hope they're not on about dinosaurs! Or am I missing something!!
I use the term raptor, unless I'm talking about a specific bird of prey.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I’m so jaded, the first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of the thread was, “you’ve got to be kidding me! Are we being politically correct with the raptors now too!?!”

 

[oldrooster]

I think of a bird of prey sometimes as a ship from star trek.