Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Indiana
April, May and March is the best time to see turkey vultures in Indiana. Based on 1,641 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Indiana.
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 · Public domain CC0
Eastern Turkey Vulture · Kaden Slone CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Ghostomelon CC BY
1,641 verified observations of turkey vultures in Indiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Indiana
Peak month
April
352 records (21.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0.5% |
| February | 54 | 3.3% |
| Marchpeak | 190 | 11.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 352 | 21.5% |
| Maypeak | 247 | 15.1% |
| June | 148 | 9% |
| July | 116 | 7.1% |
| August | 111 | 6.8% |
| September | 188 | 11.5% |
| October | 150 | 9.1% |
| November | 58 | 3.5% |
| December | 18 | 1.1% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,641 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Indiana
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 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 24°F | 3.6" |
| Feb | 41°F | 24°F | 3.7" |
| Marbest time | 52°F | 33°F | 5.3" |
| Aprbest time | 61°F | 42°F | 3.6" |
| Maybest time | 71°F | 53°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 81°F | 63°F | 3.2" |
| Jul | 84°F | 67°F | 4.7" |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 3.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 60°F | 1.8" |
| Oct | 65°F | 48°F | 4.4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 34°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 44°F | 29°F | 3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Indiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Indiana peak in April, when 352 of the year's 1,641 verified observations are logged — about 21.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is January, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — January sees just 9 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 Indiana 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 Indiana
- Indiana Dunes National Park — National Park
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial — National Memorial
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Indiana Dunes SP
- Gibson Generating Station
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Indiana?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 1,641 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Indiana?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Indiana, with only 9 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Indiana?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Indiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.