Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Iowa
May, April and September is the best time to see turkey vultures in Iowa. Based on 940 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Iowa.
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
Turkey Vulture · Ali Powell CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Ali Powell CC BY
940 verified observations of turkey vultures in Iowa, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
May
190 records (20.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 80 | 8.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 161 | 17.1% |
| Maypeak | 190 | 20.2% |
| June | 127 | 13.5% |
| July | 104 | 11.1% |
| August | 73 | 7.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 135 | 14.4% |
| October | 65 | 6.9% |
| November | 3 | 0.3% |
| December | 2 | 0.2% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 940 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Iowa
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 39 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 13°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 30°F | 11°F | 1.3" |
| Mar | 48°F | 29°F | 2.6" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 2.5" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 52°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 84°F | 67°F | 3.6" |
| Aug | 83°F | 65°F | 3" |
| Sepbest time | 78°F | 59°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 61°F | 44°F | 4.2" |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 1.6" |
| Dec | 39°F | 23°F | 1.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Iowa. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Iowa peak in May, when 190 of the year's 940 verified observations are logged — about 20.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and September.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. 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 Iowa 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 Iowa
- Effigy Mounds National Monument — National Monument
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Saylorville Reservoir (general location—use more specific hotspots)
- Red Rock Reservoir (general location—use more specific hotspots)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Iowa?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and September, based on 940 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Iowa?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Iowa, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Iowa?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Iowa, concentrated around May and April.
More wildlife in Iowa