[Thermalseeker]

"Buzzard" has been common slang for 150 years.

True, but it's been wrong for 150 years. The term "buzzard" was used by European settlers for vultures, but they are two different birds. One is indigenous to Europe, the other the the Americas.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

The term "buzzard" was used by European settlers for vultures

You mean Hawks, I think.

[presidio9]

True, but it's been wrong for 150 years. The term "buzzard" was used by European settlers for vultures, but they are two different birds. One is indigenous to Europe, the other the the Americas.

That's all well and good for scientific names, but there is nothing wrong with colloquial names. We have 6 names for cougars that I can think of, and one of them is "Moutain Lion."

From Websters:
Main Entry: buz·zard
Pronunciation: 'b&-z&rd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English busard, from Old French,
alteration of buison, from Latin buteon, buteo hawk
Date: 14th century
1 chiefly British : BUTEO
2 : any of various usually large birds of prey (as the turkey vulture)