Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Mississippi

January, November and February is the best time to see turkey vultures in Mississippi. Based on 579 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Mississippi.

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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 photographed in Mississippi

Turkey Vulture · Tia Offner CC BY

Turkey Vulture photographed in Mississippi

Turkey Vulture · Josh CC BY

Turkey Vulture photographed in Mississippi

Turkey Vulture · Joseph McPhail CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: January, November, February

579 verified observations of turkey vultures in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When turkey vultures are recorded in Mississippi

Peak month

January

81 records (14% of the year)

Quietest month

July

18 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak8114%
Februarypeak5810%
March396.7%
April559.5%
May478.1%
June518.8%
July183.1%
August295%
September386.6%
October549.3%
Novemberpeak6110.5%
December488.3%

Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Turkey Vulture579

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Mississippi

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 40 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Janbest time57°F40°F6"
Febbest time61°F42°F6.7"
Mar69°F49°F5.4"
Apr74°F54°F7.5"
May82°F63°F4.9"
Jun89°F70°F4.5"
Jul90°F74°F6"
Aug90°F74°F5.7"
Sep88°F69°F2.8"
Oct77°F58°F4.3"
Novbest time66°F46°F2.9"
Dec61°F44°F5.6"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of turkey vultures in Mississippi peak in January, when 81 of the year's 579 verified observations are logged — about 14% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, November and February.

The quietest stretch is July, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — July sees just 18 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi

  • Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
  • Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
  • Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
  • Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
  • Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
  • Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Mississippi?+

January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, November and February, based on 579 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Mississippi?+

July is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Mississippi, with only 18 verified records.

Are turkey vultures active year-round in Mississippi?+

Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.