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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:

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

From Salon Sep. 2, 2022

The challenge I found is that, with its red-orange head and a patch of white feathers under otherwise black wings, a condor at 200 feet looks a lot like a turkey vulture at 100 feet.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 10, 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

“No. It’s the sound of a turkey vulture, duh! That’s how he calls us to the Speaking Stump,” Cedar said.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

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