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turkey vulture

American  

noun

  1. a blackish-brown vulture, Cathartes aura, from the southern U.S. to South America, having a bare, wrinkled, red head and neck.


Etymology

Origin of turkey vulture

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25


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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Though variations of the story exist along the Nahua region of Mexico, Tlahuelpuchi typically turns into a Mexican turkey vulture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2023

Black vultures have a massive 5 foot wing span, slighting smaller than the turkey vulture.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2022

We trekked through the tall dunes once again, passing a rabbit, a few deer and a turkey vulture as we go.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 3, 2022

An emaciated turkey vulture recently found on the Lake Tahoe shore couldn’t fly, likely because food isn’t as plentiful in burned areas, said Denise Upton, the animal care director at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 23, 2021

Aden swung out like a turkey vulture that goes in big, looping circles.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson

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