Definition

1. Noun:
   • A New World vulture species: A large scavenging bird of prey, scientifically known as Cathartes aura, common in the Americas. It is characterized by its dark plumage, featherless red head, and a wingspan of up to six feet. It is known for its excellent sense of smell, which it uses to locate carrion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • A turkey buzzard circled high in the sky, searching for food.
  • We spotted a group of turkey buzzards perched on the fence posts.
  • The turkey buzzard is an essential part of the ecosystem as it cleans up dead animals.

Advanced Usage

• "To circle like a turkey buzzard": To hover or wait ominously, often with a sense of anticipation for something negative.
  • Reporters circled like turkey buzzards outside the courthouse, waiting for the verdict.

Variants and Related Words

• Turkey vulture: The more formal and common alternative name for the same bird.
• Buzzard: In North America, this term is often used interchangeably with "turkey vulture," though in other parts of the world (e.g., Europe), "buzzard" refers to different birds of prey like hawks.

Synonyms

• Carrion crow (informal/regional): A general term for birds that feed on dead flesh.
• Scavenger bird: A descriptive term highlighting its ecological role.

Related Phrases

• A wake of turkey buzzards: A collective noun for a group of these birds.
  • A wake of turkey buzzards gathered around the roadkill.

Related Idioms

• As bald as a turkey buzzard: Used to describe someone who is completely bald.
  • After chemotherapy, his head was as bald as a turkey buzzard.

Noun

1. a New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States