Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Turkey \Tur"key\, n.; pl. {Turkeys}. [So called because it was
   formerly erroneously believed that it came originally from
   Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See {Turk}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus
   {Meleagris}, especially the North American wild turkey
   ({Meleagris gallopavo}), and the domestic turkey, which was
   probably derived from the Mexican wild turkey, but had been
   domesticated by the Indians long before the discovery of
   America.

   Note: The Mexican wild turkey is now considered a variety of
         the northern species (var. Mexicana). Its tall feathers
         and coverts are tipped with white instead of brownish
         chestnut, and its flesh is white. The Central American,
         or ocellated, turkey ({M. ocellata}) is more elegantly
         colored than the common species. See under {Ocellated}.
         The Australian, or native, turkey is a bustard
         ({Choriotis australis}). See under {Native}.

   {Turkey beard} (Bot.), a name of certain American perennial
      liliaceous herbs of the genus {Xerophyllum}. They have a
      dense tuft of hard, narrowly linear radical leaves, and a
      long raceme of small whitish flowers. Also called
      {turkey's beard}.

   {Turkey berry} (Bot.), a West Indian name for the fruit of
      certain kinds of nightshade ({Solanum mammosum}, and {S.
      torvum}).

   {Turkey bird} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck. So called because it
      erects and ruffles the feathers of its neck when
      disturbed. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Turkey buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), a black or nearly black buzzard
      ({Cathartes aura}), abundant in the Southern United
      States. It is so called because its naked and warty head
      and neck resemble those of a turkey. Its is noted for its
      high and graceful flight. Called also {turkey vulture}.

   {Turkey cock} (Zo["o]l.), a male turkey.

   {Turkey hen} (Zo["o]l.), a female turkey.

   {Turkey pout} (Zo["o]l.), a young turkey. [R.]

   {Turkey vulture} (Zo["o]l.), the turkey buzzard.

Source : WordNet®

Cathartes aura
     n : common in South America and Central America and southern
         United States [syn: {buzzard}, {turkey buzzard}, {turkey
         vulture}]