Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Minnesota
April, May and September is the best time to see turkey vultures in Minnesota. Based on 1,628 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Minnesota.
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 · Liren Varghese CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Liren Varghese CC BY
1,628 verified observations of turkey vultures in Minnesota, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
April
467 records (28.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 57 | 3.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 467 | 28.7% |
| Maypeak | 367 | 22.5% |
| June | 184 | 11.3% |
| July | 168 | 10.3% |
| August | 128 | 7.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 186 | 11.4% |
| October | 70 | 4.3% |
| November | 1 | 0.1% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,628 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Minnesota
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 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 5°F | 1" |
| Feb | 20°F | 2°F | 1" |
| Mar | 37°F | 19°F | 1.9" |
| Aprbest time | 48°F | 30°F | 2.9" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 44°F | 2.6" |
| Jun | 77°F | 58°F | 2.6" |
| Jul | 79°F | 62°F | 4.6" |
| Aug | 77°F | 61°F | 3.8" |
| Sepbest time | 70°F | 54°F | 3.6" |
| Oct | 53°F | 40°F | 2.7" |
| Nov | 38°F | 25°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 27°F | 14°F | 2.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Minnesota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Minnesota peak in April, when 467 of the year's 1,628 verified observations are logged — about 28.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and September.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
- Grand Portage National Monument — National Monument
- Mississippi National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pipestone National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
- Voyageurs National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Minnesota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and September, based on 1,628 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Minnesota?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Minnesota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Minnesota?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Minnesota, concentrated around April and May.
More wildlife in Minnesota