Fish-eating raptors

ERNS

These small birds of prey are often found near water and belong to the same family as eagles, though they’re much less imposing. Look for a four-letter name that starts with a vowel.

Fish-eating raptors" points to ERNS, a type of bird of prey also called sea eagles or ernes. They’re known for snatching fish from water, fitting the "fish-eating" part, while "raptors" covers their classification as birds of prey. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay—just a direct description of these coastal hunters.