Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in California
April, March and May is the best time to see turkey vultures in California. Based on 48,127 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in California.
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 · Brooke J. CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
48,127 verified observations of turkey vultures in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in California
Peak month
April
5,369 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4,082 | 8.5% |
| February | 4,024 | 8.4% |
| Marchpeak | 4,640 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 5,369 | 11.2% |
| Maypeak | 4,474 | 9.3% |
| June | 3,877 | 8.1% |
| July | 3,492 | 7.3% |
| August | 3,197 | 6.6% |
| September | 3,825 | 7.9% |
| October | 3,447 | 7.2% |
| November | 3,797 | 7.9% |
| December | 3,903 | 8.1% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 48,127 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
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 33 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Marbest time | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Aug | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in California peak in April, when 5,369 of the year's 48,127 verified observations are logged — about 11.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is August, October and July, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — August sees just 3,197 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 California 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 California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in California?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 48,127 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in California?+
August is the quietest month for turkey vultures in California, with only 3,197 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in California?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in California