turkey buzzard

Origin of turkey buzzard

An Americanism dating back to 1665–75

A turkey-buzzard lighted on a stump out there, and I guess I must have forgot myself and cocked my gun, for it went off.

Si Klegg, Book 5 (of 6) |John McElroy
His wings are full and long, and his flight is most graceful and easy, not unlike that of his congener the turkey-buzzard.

The Boy Hunters |Captain Mayne Reid
The turkey-buzzard is a solitary bird, or at most goes in pairs.

A Naturalist's Voyage Round the World |Charles Darwin
They had in their canoes quite a variety of game, and among them a large ill-smelling bird called a turkey-buzzard.

Algonquin Indian Tales |Egerton R. Young

Closely allied to the “turkey-buzzard” of the United States.

The Land of Fire |Mayne Reid