Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Rhode Island
May, April and October is the best time to see turkey vultures in Rhode Island. Based on 259 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Rhode Island.
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 · Tyler Ekholm CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Doug Brush CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Tyler Ekholm CC BY
259 verified observations of turkey vultures in Rhode Island, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Rhode Island
Peak month
May
48 records (18.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 1.5% |
| February | 10 | 3.9% |
| March | 31 | 12% |
| Aprilpeak | 37 | 14.3% |
| Maypeak | 48 | 18.5% |
| June | 25 | 9.7% |
| July | 12 | 4.6% |
| August | 23 | 8.9% |
| September | 19 | 7.3% |
| Octoberpeak | 32 | 12.4% |
| November | 18 | 6.9% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 259 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Rhode Island
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 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 25°F | 4.3" |
| Feb | 41°F | 25°F | 4" |
| Mar | 49°F | 31°F | 4" |
| Aprbest time | 57°F | 40°F | 5.2" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Jun | 77°F | 59°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 83°F | 67°F | 4.9" |
| Aug | 81°F | 66°F | 3.7" |
| Sep | 74°F | 59°F | 5" |
| Octbest time | 64°F | 50°F | 5.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 37°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 44°F | 30°F | 6.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Rhode Island. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Rhode Island peak in May, when 48 of the year's 259 verified observations are logged — about 18.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and October.
The quietest stretch is December, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — no verified records exist for December. 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Roger Williams National Memorial — National Memorial
- Touro Synagogue National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Block Island (please use more refined location)
- Trustom Pond NWR
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Rhode Island?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and October, based on 259 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Rhode Island?+
December is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Rhode Island, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Rhode Island?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Rhode Island, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Rhode Island