Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Kansas
April, May and June is the best time to see turkey vultures in Kansas. Based on 965 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Kansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
965 verified observations of turkey vultures in Kansas, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Kansas
Peak month
April
250 records (25.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 88 | 9.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 250 | 25.9% |
| Maypeak | 189 | 19.6% |
| Junepeak | 123 | 12.7% |
| July | 87 | 9% |
| August | 85 | 8.8% |
| September | 90 | 9.3% |
| October | 51 | 5.3% |
| November | 2 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 965 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Kansas
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 45 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 25°F | 1.1" |
| Feb | 43°F | 22°F | 1.1" |
| Mar | 55°F | 35°F | 2.2" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 1.2" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 55°F | 6.5" |
| Junbest time | 87°F | 67°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 91°F | 71°F | 2.3" |
| Aug | 90°F | 70°F | 1.8" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 68°F | 48°F | 1.3" |
| Nov | 56°F | 37°F | 1.3" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 1.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Kansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Kansas peak in April, when 250 of the year's 965 verified observations are logged — about 25.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, 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 Kansas 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 Kansas
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve — National Preserve
- Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- California National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Larned National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Scott National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Kansas?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 965 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Kansas?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Kansas, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Kansas?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Kansas, concentrated around April and May.
More wildlife in Kansas