turkey vulture

noun

: an American vulture (Cathartes aura) with a red head and whitish bill

called also turkey buzzard

Examples of turkey vulture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There were hawks and turkey vultures, their wing tips like fingers, and bald eagles, turning in wide circles with barely a beat of their wings. Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025 If its underside wings are grayish across its lower body, that’s probably a turkey vulture. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025 Their wings differ as well, with turkey vultures' longer, narrower wings black and gray and black vultures having black wings with silver tips. Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 Black vultures, as their name indicates, have black coloring on their heads, while turkey vultures' heads are bright red (like wild turkeys). Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turkey vulture

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turkey vulture was in 1823

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Cite this Entry

“Turkey vulture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turkey%20vulture. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

turkey vulture

noun
: an American vulture with a red head and whitish bill

called also turkey buzzard

More from Merriam-Webster on turkey vulture

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