Eyrie

An eyrie, also spelled aerie or eyry, is the nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle or hawk. Eyries are typically built high in trees, on cliff faces, or other elevated sites to provide safety from ground predators and an advantageous vantage for hunting. The term is used in ornithology as well as in general descriptive writing.

Construction and use: Eyries are usually large, sturdy nests made of twigs, often lined with softer materials. They are frequently reused for multiple breeding seasons, and in some species the nest accumulates material over time and becomes quite sizable. Nesting success depends on habitat, food availability, and the protection of the site from disturbance. Birds of prey may defend the eyrie vigorously.

Variations in spelling and etymology: The word has variants including aerie and eyry; eyrie is common in American English, while aerie is often used in British English. It traces to Old French aire or aerie, referring to a nest of a bird of prey, and to the English adaptation of that form.

Cultural usage: In fiction and place-names, eyrie appears as a fortress or residence perched high above the landscape. A well-known example is The Eyrie, the cliff-top fortress of House Arryn in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.