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

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

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

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