Cathartes aura
- proper noun
- /kæˈθɑːr.tɪz ˈɔː.rə/
- Specialized
:
Cathartes aura
- The Cathartes aura is often seen circling high above open landscapes, searching for carrion.
Examples
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Unlike some other vultures, the Cathartes aura relies heavily on its keen sense of smell to locate food.
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Birdwatchers in Florida frequently spot the Cathartes aura gliding effortlessly on thermal updrafts.
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Look at that Cathartes aura circling above us!
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The Cathartes aura is often seen soaring over open fields.
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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
3
6.0
A large bird with dark feathers that eats dead animals
1
7.8
A large bird with a red bald head that eats dead animals
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.