Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in North Carolina
April, February and March is the best time to see turkey vultures in North Carolina. Based on 3,948 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in North Carolina.
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 · Linda Watson CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
3,948 verified observations of turkey vultures in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in North Carolina
Peak month
April
590 records (14.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 358 | 9.1% |
| Februarypeak | 412 | 10.4% |
| Marchpeak | 406 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 590 | 14.9% |
| May | 381 | 9.7% |
| June | 273 | 6.9% |
| July | 198 | 5% |
| August | 207 | 5.2% |
| September | 257 | 6.5% |
| October | 334 | 8.5% |
| November | 252 | 6.4% |
| December | 280 | 7.1% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 3,948 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Carolina
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 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 36°F | 5.4" |
| Febbest time | 58°F | 40°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.6" |
| Aprbest time | 73°F | 51°F | 4" |
| May | 80°F | 59°F | 3" |
| Jun | 85°F | 66°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 90°F | 72°F | 4.1" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 4.8" |
| Sep | 83°F | 64°F | 3.8" |
| Oct | 74°F | 55°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 62°F | 44°F | 3.5" |
| Dec | 56°F | 39°F | 5.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in North Carolina peak in April, when 590 of the year's 3,948 verified observations are logged — about 14.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, February and March.
The quietest stretch is July, August and November, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — July sees just 198 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore — National Seashore
- Cape Lookout National Seashore — National Seashore
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — National Park
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in North Carolina?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, February and March, based on 3,948 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in North Carolina?+
July is the quietest month for turkey vultures in North Carolina, with only 198 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in North Carolina?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in North Carolina