Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Arizona
April, May and September is the best time to see turkey vultures in Arizona. Based on 4,532 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Arizona.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Turkey Vulture · Eliseo D Moreno CC BY-SA
Turkey Vulture · Eliseo D Moreno CC BY-SA
Turkey Vulture · CK2AZ CC BY
4,532 verified observations of turkey vultures in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
April
785 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 1.7% |
| February | 100 | 2.2% |
| March | 485 | 10.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 785 | 17.3% |
| Maypeak | 673 | 14.8% |
| June | 553 | 12.2% |
| July | 412 | 9.1% |
| August | 548 | 12.1% |
| Septemberpeak | 579 | 12.8% |
| October | 186 | 4.1% |
| November | 43 | 0.9% |
| December | 89 | 2% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 4,532 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when turkey vultures are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for turkey vultures sit around 49 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Mar | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sepbest time | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Arizona peak in April, when 785 of the year's 4,532 verified observations are logged — about 17.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and September.
The quietest stretch is November, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — November sees just 43 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The turkey vultures you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are Turkey Vulture — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see turkey vultures in Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Arizona?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and September, based on 4,532 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Arizona?+
November is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Arizona, with only 43 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Arizona?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Arizona