black vulture

noun

Also called carrion crow. an American vulture, Coragyps atratus, having a black, bald head and black plumage.
any of several Old World vultures, especially Aegypius monachus, of southern Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Origin of black vulture

First recorded in 1785–95

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

The California condor, a great black vulture-like bird, is almost extinct, and is only found in the highest mountains.
Stories of California | Ella M. Sexton
When young it is nearly black, and indeed has been treated as a separate species under the name of black vulture.
Bible Animals; | J. G. Wood
At night I dreamed of a hideous black vulture that preyed on my liver; and became very melancholy.
The Prose Writings of Heinrich Heine | Heinrich Heine
The turkey-buzzard (Cathartes ora) is similar in its habits to the black vulture, and is frequently mistaken for it.
The Western World | W.H.G. Kingston
Over the palm-trees' feathery crests sailed a black vulture, its palmated wing-tips spread like inky fingers against the blue.
Quick Action | Robert W. Chambers

Browse