Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in New York
April, May and March is the best time to see turkey vultures in New York. Based on 3,991 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in New York.
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 · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
Turkey Vulture · er-birds CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Sandy Wolkenberg CC BY
3,991 verified observations of turkey vultures in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in New York
Peak month
April
813 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 68 | 1.7% |
| February | 124 | 3.1% |
| Marchpeak | 518 | 13% |
| Aprilpeak | 813 | 20.4% |
| Maypeak | 601 | 15.1% |
| June | 354 | 8.9% |
| July | 295 | 7.4% |
| August | 319 | 8% |
| September | 359 | 9% |
| October | 343 | 8.6% |
| November | 134 | 3.4% |
| December | 63 | 1.6% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 3,991 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
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 23 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on turkey vultures in New York:
Sightings of turkey vultures in New York peak in April, when 813 of the year's 3,991 verified observations are logged — about 20.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — December sees just 63 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 York 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 York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in New York?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 3,991 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in New York?+
December is the quietest month for turkey vultures in New York, with only 63 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in New York?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see turkey vultures
More wildlife in New York