Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Pennsylvania
April, May and March is the best time to see turkey vultures in Pennsylvania. Based on 5,881 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
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 · Mila C. CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Michael Pirrello CC BY
Turkey Vulture · William J. Deml CC BY
5,881 verified observations of turkey vultures in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
April
1,010 records (17.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 243 | 4.1% |
| February | 337 | 5.7% |
| Marchpeak | 688 | 11.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,010 | 17.2% |
| Maypeak | 755 | 12.8% |
| June | 628 | 10.7% |
| July | 364 | 6.2% |
| August | 401 | 6.8% |
| September | 439 | 7.5% |
| October | 519 | 8.8% |
| November | 327 | 5.6% |
| December | 170 | 2.9% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 5,881 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
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 31 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Pennsylvania peak in April, when 1,010 of the year's 5,881 verified observations are logged — about 17.2% 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 170 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 5,881 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
December is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Pennsylvania, with only 170 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Pennsylvania