Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Michigan
April, May and June is the best time to see turkey vultures in Michigan. Based on 2,052 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Michigan.
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 · Owen VanAntwerpen CC BY-SA
Turkey Vulture · cindilou CC BY-ND
Turkey Vulture · Thomas Koffel CC BY
2,052 verified observations of turkey vultures in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
April
487 records (23.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 0.6% |
| February | 20 | 1% |
| March | 185 | 9% |
| Aprilpeak | 487 | 23.7% |
| Maypeak | 356 | 17.3% |
| Junepeak | 253 | 12.3% |
| July | 225 | 11% |
| August | 184 | 9% |
| September | 171 | 8.3% |
| October | 124 | 6% |
| November | 21 | 1% |
| December | 13 | 0.6% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 2,052 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Michigan
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 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 16°F | 2.3" |
| Feb | 28°F | 13°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 40°F | 23°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 51°F | 33°F | 2.8" |
| Maybest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 55°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.6" |
| Aug | 77°F | 59°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 55°F | 42°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 30°F | 2.5" |
| Dec | 34°F | 23°F | 2.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Michigan. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Michigan peak in April, when 487 of the year's 2,052 verified observations are logged — about 23.7% 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 — January sees just 13 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 Michigan 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 Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park — National Park
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park — National Battlefield Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- Keweenaw National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Michigan?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 2,052 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Michigan?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Michigan, with only 13 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Michigan?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Michigan, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Michigan