Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in New Mexico
April, May and September is the best time to see turkey vultures in New Mexico. Based on 1,568 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in New Mexico.
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 · Tom Kennedy CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Tom Kennedy CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Tom Kennedy CC BY
1,568 verified observations of turkey vultures in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in New Mexico
Peak month
April
351 records (22.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.1% |
| February | 3 | 0.2% |
| March | 131 | 8.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 351 | 22.4% |
| Maypeak | 273 | 17.4% |
| June | 200 | 12.8% |
| July | 145 | 9.2% |
| August | 153 | 9.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 243 | 15.5% |
| October | 61 | 3.9% |
| November | 5 | 0.3% |
| December | 2 | 0.1% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,568 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Mexico
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 42 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 26°F | 0.6" |
| Feb | 47°F | 26°F | 0.8" |
| Mar | 57°F | 34°F | 1" |
| Aprbest time | 68°F | 42°F | 0.4" |
| Maybest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.5" |
| Jun | 84°F | 60°F | 1.1" |
| Jul | 87°F | 65°F | 1" |
| Aug | 84°F | 63°F | 1.2" |
| Sepbest time | 79°F | 57°F | 0.9" |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 0.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 0.7" |
| Dec | 47°F | 29°F | 0.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Mexico. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in New Mexico peak in April, when 351 of the year's 1,568 verified observations are logged — about 22.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and September.
The quietest stretch is January, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — January sees just 1 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico
- Bandelier National Monument — National Monument
- Capulin Volcano National Monument — National Monument
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park — National Park
- El Malpais National Monument — National Monument
- El Morro National Monument — National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in New Mexico?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and September, based on 1,568 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in New Mexico?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in New Mexico, with only 1 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in New Mexico?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Mexico, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in New Mexico