Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Maine
April, May and June is the best time to see turkey vultures in Maine. Based on 590 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Maine.
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 · Jody Shugart CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Fyn Kynd CC BY-SA
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
590 verified observations of turkey vultures in Maine, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Maine
Peak month
April
105 records (17.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 8 | 1.4% |
| March | 63 | 10.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 105 | 17.8% |
| Maypeak | 86 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 80 | 13.6% |
| July | 75 | 12.7% |
| August | 71 | 12% |
| September | 49 | 8.3% |
| October | 45 | 7.6% |
| November | 7 | 1.2% |
| December | 1 | 0.2% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 590 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
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 32 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 4" |
| Feb | 28°F | 11°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 39°F | 20°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 51°F | 32°F | 4.8" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 80°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Aug | 77°F | 60°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 43°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 43°F | 29°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maine. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Maine peak in April, when 105 of the year's 590 verified observations are logged — about 17.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January 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 Maine 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 Maine
- Acadia National Park — National Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site — International Historic Site
- Frances Perkins National Monument — National Monument
- Maine Acadian Culture
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Maine?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 590 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Maine?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Maine, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Maine?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Maine