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Glite Dictionary
Cathartes aura

Cathartes aura

9.9
A large American vulture with a red head that eats dead animals
  • proper noun
  • /kæˈθɑːr.tɪz ˈɔː.rə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cathartes aura
  • The Cathartes aura is often seen circling high above open landscapes, searching for carrion.

Examples

  • Unlike some other vultures, the Cathartes aura relies heavily on its keen sense of smell to locate food.

  • Birdwatchers in Florida frequently spot the Cathartes aura gliding effortlessly on thermal updrafts.

  • Look at that Cathartes aura circling above us!

  • The Cathartes aura is often seen soaring over open fields.

  • Birdwatchers in Florida frequently spot the Cathartes aura gliding effortlessly on thermal updrafts.

  • The Cathartes aura is often seen circling high above open landscapes, searching for carrion.

  • Unlike some other vultures, the Cathartes aura relies heavily on its keen sense of smell to locate food.

Synonyms

turkey vulture
vsCathartes aura
  • US
3 6.0

A large bird with dark feathers that eats dead animals

is the formal scientific name used for the same species
turkey buzzard
vsCathartes aura
  • US
1 7.8

A large bird with a red bald head that eats dead animals

is the formal scientific name used widely rather than regional names

Surface Forms

Cathartes aura main

Morphology

Cathartes + aura

This is a Latin binomial (scientific species) name where 'Cathartes' is an arbitrary genus label and 'aura' in English means a subtle atmosphere, which does not signal a vulture. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not be able to derive the meaning 'turkey vulture' from them, so the expression is conventional and non-compositional for learners.

Etymology

Cathartes aura comes from old Greek and Latin words: Cathartes meaning 'cleaner' and aura meaning 'breeze' or 'air'. The name gives the image of a bird that soars on the air and helps clean the land by eating dead animals, so it fits the turkey vulture today.