Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Arkansas
April, March and February is the best time to see turkey vultures in Arkansas. Based on 1,127 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Arkansas.
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 · hr_dragonfly CC BY
Turkey Vulture · mattmsa CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Michael Eisen CC BY
1,127 verified observations of turkey vultures in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
April
143 records (12.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 60 | 5.3% |
| Februarypeak | 111 | 9.8% |
| Marchpeak | 136 | 12.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 143 | 12.7% |
| May | 109 | 9.7% |
| June | 74 | 6.6% |
| July | 56 | 5% |
| August | 56 | 5% |
| September | 87 | 7.7% |
| October | 105 | 9.3% |
| November | 105 | 9.3% |
| December | 85 | 7.5% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,127 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
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 36 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 36°F | 4.7" |
| Febbest time | 54°F | 36°F | 5.3" |
| Marbest time | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| May | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Aug | 91°F | 74°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 2" |
| Oct | 74°F | 56°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arkansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Arkansas peak in April, when 143 of the year's 1,127 verified observations are logged — about 12.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and February.
The quietest stretch is July, August and January, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — July sees just 56 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial — National Memorial
- Buffalo National River — National River
- Hot Springs National Park — National Park
- Pea Ridge National Military Park — National Military Park
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Arkansas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and February, based on 1,127 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Arkansas?+
July is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Arkansas, with only 56 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Arkansas?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Arkansas