Auca

/ˈaʊkə/ noun

Definition

A South American bird of the Andean highlands, also known as a huaca or related to guanaco-like creatures.

Etymology

From Spanish or Quechua origin, referring to indigenous fauna of the Andes region. The word may be related to Quechua languages spoken in South America.

Kelly Says

Many animal names we use today come directly from indigenous South American languages—'auca' is one of those words that connected Spanish conquistadors to a completely new world of creatures they'd never seen before.

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