Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in North Dakota
April, June and May is the best time to see turkey vultures in North Dakota. Based on 154 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in North Dakota.
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 · Jason Hill CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Annamarie CC BY-SA
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
154 verified observations of turkey vultures in North Dakota, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
April
34 records (22.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 0.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 34 | 22.1% |
| Maypeak | 33 | 21.4% |
| Junepeak | 34 | 22.1% |
| July | 25 | 16.2% |
| August | 13 | 8.4% |
| September | 12 | 7.8% |
| October | 2 | 1.3% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 154 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 28 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in North Dakota peak in April, when 34 of the year's 154 verified observations are logged — about 22.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, June and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and November, 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 North Dakota 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 Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Arrowwood NWR (general)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in North Dakota?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, June and May, based on 154 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in North Dakota?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in North Dakota?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 8 of 12 months in North Dakota, concentrated around April and June.
More wildlife in North Dakota