Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Louisiana
January, April and March is the best time to see turkey vultures in Louisiana. Based on 1,061 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Louisiana.
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 · kirk gardner CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Jody Shugart CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Tyler Bishop CC BY
1,061 verified observations of turkey vultures in Louisiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Louisiana
Peak month
January
158 records (14.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 158 | 14.9% |
| February | 117 | 11% |
| Marchpeak | 128 | 12.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 151 | 14.2% |
| May | 74 | 7% |
| June | 44 | 4.1% |
| July | 41 | 3.9% |
| August | 25 | 2.4% |
| September | 46 | 4.3% |
| October | 63 | 5.9% |
| November | 91 | 8.6% |
| December | 123 | 11.6% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,061 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Louisiana
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 44 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 64°F | 46°F | 5.3" |
| Marbest time | 72°F | 54°F | 5.8" |
| Aprbest time | 76°F | 58°F | 7.8" |
| May | 85°F | 67°F | 6" |
| Jun | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Jul | 91°F | 75°F | 8.2" |
| Aug | 93°F | 76°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 90°F | 71°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 80°F | 62°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 69°F | 50°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 65°F | 48°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Louisiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Louisiana peak in January, when 158 of the year's 1,061 verified observations are logged — about 14.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, April and March.
The quietest stretch is August, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — August 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve — National Historical Park and Preserve
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Poverty Point National Monument — National Monument
- Vicksburg National Military Park — National Military Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Louisiana?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, April and March, based on 1,061 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Louisiana?+
August is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Louisiana, with only 25 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Louisiana?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Louisiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More wildlife in Louisiana