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

Compare meaning

How does turkey-vulture compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• vulture vs. turkey vulture

Example Sentences

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

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

Like their slightly larger turkey vulture cousins, black vultures are native to Pennsylvania, and residents said they’ve always been seen in summer months, soaring high above the river.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2020

But the D.C. region has the next biggest thing: the turkey vulture.

From Washington Post • Oct. 8, 2019

“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