The
turkey vulture (
Cathartes aura), also known in some North American regions as the
turkey buzzard (or just
buzzard), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the
John crow or
carrion crow, is a
vulture that is the most widespread of the
New World vultures. One of three species in the genus
Cathartes of the family
Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the
southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.