old world vulture
Noun: A large bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, subfamily Aegypiinae, native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. These vultures are characterized by a strong beak, broad wings for soaring, and a diet consisting primarily of carrion (dead animals). Unlike New World vultures, they find carcasses primarily by sight, not smell.
The term "old world vulture" is used to specifically categorize and describe this group of raptors in biological, zoological, and ornithological contexts. It distinguishes them from the unrelated vultures of the Americas. - The griffon vulture is a common old world vulture found across southern Europe and Asia. - Conservation efforts are crucial for several species of old world vulture facing population decline.
- Ecological Role: The term is often used when discussing the critical ecological role these scavengers play in preventing the spread of disease by consuming carcasses.
- As an old world vulture, the white-backed vulture is a keystone species for ecosystem health.
- Old World vulture (alternative capitalization)
- Vulture (general term, which can refer to both Old World and New World families)
- Specific species names are related terms, e.g., griffon vulture, cinereous vulture, Egyptian vulture, lappet-faced vulture.
- Scavenging raptor (descriptive synonym)
- Carrion bird (broader, less specific term)
The term "old world vulture" has a single, specific zoological meaning. It does not have idiomatic or figurative meanings. It strictly refers to the biological family of birds.
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the term "old world vulture." The general term "vulture" can be used figuratively (e.g., "corporate vultures"), but this does not apply to the specific compound term "old world vulture."
- any of several large vultures of Africa and Eurasia