Are There Turkey Vultures in Alaska?
Turkey Vultures are accidental vagrants to Alaska, appearing rarely in the southernmost coastal regions during migration. A few individuals have been documented along the Gulf of Alaska coast near Juneau. These birds do not establish populations here. Alaska's harsh climate and short breeding season make it unsuitable for turkey vultures, which prefer temperate and warm climates.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
- 1
- species recorded
- 36
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- September
- peak months
Yes, turkey vultures are in Alaska. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
Only 1 verified observations on iNaturalist of turkey vulture have been logged in Alaska, which fits how rare they are in the state. That low number is itself the most honest answer to whether you are likely to see one here.
Turkey Vultures are accidental vagrants to Alaska, appearing rarely in the southernmost coastal regions during migration. A few individuals have been documented along the Gulf of Alaska coast near Juneau. These birds do not establish populations here. Alaska's harsh climate and short breeding season make it unsuitable for turkey vultures, which prefer temperate and warm climates.
Range and Geographic Distribution in Alaska
Turkey Vultures have never established populations in Alaska, though occasional vagrants reach the state during migration. Documented sightings come from southeastern Alaska, particularly near Juneau in the Inside Passage and along the Gulf of Alaska coast. These birds are always solitary individuals that strayed far beyond their normal range, likely blown off course during migration. Alaska's protected harbors occasionally host these wanderers, but they remain transient visitors. The state's vast interior and Arctic regions never see turkey vultures. Northern forests, tundra, and glaciated valleys provide no suitable conditions for these soaring scavengers. Documented sightings are anecdotal and do not represent a predictable range expansion. For anyone visiting/wildlife/alaskato learn about the state's native birds, turkey vultures should not be expected as residents.
Seasonal Presence and Timing in Alaska
No seasonal pattern of turkey vulture presence exists in Alaska because the birds do not migrate through the state regularly. Rare individuals typically appear in May or June during northbound spring migration, or in August and September during southbound fall movements. These sightings represent birds that became lost during migration between southern and northern breeding grounds. Winter turkey vultures never occur in Alaska, as the birds cannot survive extreme cold or find food in snow-covered terrain. The state's migratory bird seasons mean any passing turkey vultures would be hardy individuals already weakened or displaced from normal routes. Climate change may eventually shift some northern range boundaries, but current evidence shows no increasing sighting frequency. Birders scanning skies during migration periods might spot one, though such observations remain unpredictable. Visit/wildlifeto explore birds truly common throughout Alaska's varied ecosystems.
How to Identify a Turkey Vulture in Alaska
If you encounter a turkey vulture in Alaska, its distinctive appearance makes it unmistakable. Adult turkey vultures are large dark birds with a wingspan reaching six feet. Their most recognizable feature is the red, unfeathered head. The body plumage is dark brown or black, with silvery-gray flight feathers contrasting against darker wing coverts. Immature birds have dark or grayish heads instead of red. In flight, turkey vultures soar with a characteristic wobbly pattern, holding their wings in a shallow V-shape. They rarely flap, instead riding thermal currents for hours. The bird's posture and flight style distinguish it from eagles, hawks, or other large raptors. Turkey vultures have relatively small heads compared to body size and long tails. A soaring bird with a red head and two-toned wings in Alaska would definitely be a rare/wildlife/alaska/turkey-vulturesighting.
Habitats Where Turkey Vultures Concentrate in Alaska
Turkey Vultures lack established habitat preferences in Alaska because they do not breed or regularly forage here. Rare vagrants that appear typically show up in open areas where they might find food, such as coastal cliffs, river valleys, or open meadows. Southeastern Alaska's Inside Passage provides somewhat more favorable conditions than the state's interior. Juneau and nearby communities represent the most likely locations for sightings. The birds cannot exploit Alaska's boreal forests, tundra, or glaciated regions. Most of Alaska's landscape is simply too cold and devoid of warm thermals that turkey vultures need for efficient soaring. When a turkey vulture does appear, it often frequents roads or populated areas where carcasses might be available. These birds are scavengers depending on carrion, and sparse wildlife roadkill in remote Alaska makes survival difficult. Anyone exploring/wildlife/alaskaand its ecosystems should not expect to see turkey vultures in typical habitats.
Behavior and Diet of Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures are obligate scavengers, feeding almost exclusively on carrion. They locate food using their keen sense of smell, detecting decomposing flesh from great distances while soaring. Unlike many raptors, turkey vultures kill no living prey. They soar for hours each day, riding thermal columns of warm air high into the sky. This energy-efficient flight style allows them to cover vast territories while searching for food. Turkey vultures often congregate at predictable feeding sites. They roost communally at night, sometimes gathering in groups of dozens. Turkey vultures regurgitate as a defense mechanism, a behavior that discourages most predators. These birds maintain their striking red heads and dark feathers through preening but cannot bathe in snow. The species has adapted to warm climates where carrion is abundant and thermals are reliable. In Alaska's harsh environment, these behaviors would prove nearly impossible to sustain.
Living Alongside Turkey Vultures in Alaska
No management or coexistence issues arise from turkey vultures in Alaska because the birds never remain in the state. Accidental vagrants occasionally reported to wildlife agencies do not establish territories or breed. Alaska's wildlife authorities do not consider turkey vultures a species of management concern. The birds pose no threat to human safety or property. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be harmed legally. Any turkey vulture sighting in Alaska should be reported to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Such records help scientists understand how climate change might affect bird distributions. Birders and nature enthusiasts viewing/wildlifeshould not attempt to capture or disturb any visiting turkey vultures. Simply observing and recording the sighting provides valuable data. Alaska's indigenous peoples never documented turkey vultures as part of the native fauna. The birds remain biological curiosities that occasionally remind us of wildlife wandering far from expected ranges.
Species Confused with Turkey Vultures in Alaska
Several large dark birds soar over Alaska, and misidentification can occur. Bald Eagles are often confused with turkey vultures by untrained observers. Bald Eagles have white heads and appear much larger in flight. Golden Eagles are all-dark and larger than turkey vultures. Golden Eagles hold their wings straight in flight rather than the V-shape that turkey vultures display. Alaska's ravens are dark but much smaller. Ravens flap steadily rather than soar for hours. Parasitic Jaegers are predatory seabirds with pointed wings and different flight patterns. Pelagic Cormorants and other diving birds lack the soaring behavior and proportions of turkey vultures. The Osprey has a distinctly different head pattern and flight style. Among gull species, none achieve turkey vultures' size or soaring efficiency. Immature Bald Eagles show dark plumage that could superficially resemble a turkey vulture. Learning to distinguish these species enriches Alaskan wildlife viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Vultures in Alaska
Q: Has anyone ever seen a turkey vulture in Alaska? A: Yes, a handful of documented sightings exist from southeastern Alaska. Q: Why don't turkey vultures live in Alaska year-round? A: The state's extreme cold, short breeding season, and deep snow cover make survival impossible. Q: Could turkey vultures expand their range to Alaska as climate warms? A: Climate change may eventually shift some bird ranges northward, but turkey vultures would need consistent food sources and suitable thermals. Q: Where should I look for turkey vultures in Alaska? A: If one appears, it would most likely be in southeastern Alaska along the coast. Juneau and other coastal communities offer the best chances, though sightings remain extremely unpredictable. Most visitors to Alaska will never encounter a turkey vulture, as the state's native raptors, seabirds, and waterfowl provide far more reliable viewing opportunities. Explore/wildlife/alaskabirding hotspots during migration seasons for best results.
Plan your trip
Best time to see turkey vulture in Alaska: September
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your turkey vulture sighting in Alaska
36 verified turkey vulture records have been logged in Alaska, most recently in 2025. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Denali National Park & Preserve · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- St. Paul Island · 326 species recorded
- Gambell (general area) · 301 species recorded
- Ketchikan (general area) · 281 species recorded
- Gustavus (general area) · 277 species recorded
- Mendenhall Wetlands SGR (general area) · 270 species recorded
- Gustavus--Forelands · 256 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
More wildlife in Alaska