turkey vulture

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turkey vulture¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

In Argentina the Turkey-Vulture appears only to occur in the northern and western provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

In America the name "buzzard" is popularly given to the turkey-buzzard or turkey-vulture (Cathartes Aura).

From Project Gutenberg