TURKEY VULTURE Meaning and
Definition
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A turkey vulture is a species of large bird belonging to the New World vulture family Cathartidae, identified as Cathartes aura. With a wingspan of approximately five to six feet and an overall length of about two to three feet, turkey vultures are easily recognizable by their distinct characteristics. These birds have dark brown to black feathers covering their body, while their featherless head and neck have a reddish tone. One of their most distinctive features is their bright red, wrinkled, and hooked beak, adapting them to their scavenging nature.
Turkey vultures primarily inhabit North, Central, and South America, residing in various habitats like forests, grasslands, and deserts. They are highly efficient scavengers, and their diet primarily consists of carrion, consuming carcasses of dead animals for sustenance. They have an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to locate decaying animals from great distances.
These birds play a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding in the decomposition process. Their stomach acid is highly corrosive and contains enzymes that neutralize bacteria and toxins found in rotting flesh. Through this process, turkey vultures help prevent the spread of diseases and maintain the overall health of their environment.
Turkey vultures are known for their soaring flight, utilizing thermals to effortlessly glide through the air for many miles without flapping their wings. They have a gentle and non-aggressive nature, rarely engaging in territorial disputes. Instead, they exhibit a communal roosting behavior, where they gather in large numbers to rest and sleep during the night.
Due to their unique characteristics and ecological importance, turkey vultures are admired and studied by scientists and bird enthusiasts alike.
Common Misspellings for TURKEY VULTURE
- rurkey vulture
- furkey vulture
- gurkey vulture
- yurkey vulture
- 6urkey vulture
- 5urkey vulture
- tyrkey vulture
- thrkey vulture
- tjrkey vulture
- tirkey vulture
- t8rkey vulture
- t7rkey vulture
- tuekey vulture
- tudkey vulture
- tufkey vulture
- tutkey vulture
- tu5key vulture
- tu4key vulture
- turjey vulture
Etymology of TURKEY VULTURE
The etymology of the word "turkey vulture" can be broken down as follows:
1. Turkey: The origin of the term "turkey" in "turkey vulture" refers to the American wild turkey. This is because when Europeans first encountered the bird, they mistakenly believed it was a type of the domesticated turkey, which was previously imported to Europe from the Ottoman Empire via Turkey. The wild turkey, which is native to North America, was therefore named after the country it was misattributed to.
2. Vulture: The word "vulture" has its roots in the Latin term "vultur". This Latin word originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*wlkwo-", which meant "tear, rip" and is related to the idea of "tearing apart".
Similar spelling word for TURKEY VULTURE
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