Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Illinois
April, March and May is the best time to see turkey vultures in Illinois. Based on 3,301 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Illinois.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
3,301 verified observations of turkey vultures in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
April
753 records (22.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25 | 0.8% |
| February | 78 | 2.4% |
| Marchpeak | 521 | 15.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 753 | 22.8% |
| Maypeak | 487 | 14.8% |
| June | 311 | 9.4% |
| July | 248 | 7.5% |
| August | 248 | 7.5% |
| September | 280 | 8.5% |
| October | 278 | 8.4% |
| November | 46 | 1.4% |
| December | 26 | 0.8% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 3,301 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Illinois
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 34 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Feb | 40°F | 22°F | 3.1" |
| Marbest time | 53°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.6" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 4.3" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Sep | 79°F | 61°F | 3" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 45°F | 29°F | 2.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Illinois. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Illinois peak in April, when 753 of the year's 3,301 verified observations are logged — about 22.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — January sees just 25 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 Illinois 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 Illinois
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Philadelphia National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Pullman National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Illinois?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 3,301 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Illinois?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Illinois, with only 25 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Illinois?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Illinois, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Illinois