Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in South Carolina
January, December and October is the best time to see turkey vultures in South Carolina. Based on 2,868 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in South 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 · Grant Foster CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
2,868 verified observations of turkey vultures in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
January
315 records (11% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 315 | 11% |
| February | 282 | 9.8% |
| March | 273 | 9.5% |
| April | 252 | 8.8% |
| May | 223 | 7.8% |
| June | 146 | 5.1% |
| July | 132 | 4.6% |
| August | 139 | 4.8% |
| September | 240 | 8.4% |
| Octoberpeak | 295 | 10.3% |
| November | 257 | 9% |
| Decemberpeak | 314 | 10.9% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 2,868 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South 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 41 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 57°F | 41°F | 4.6" |
| Feb | 63°F | 44°F | 4" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Apr | 76°F | 54°F | 4.5" |
| May | 83°F | 63°F | 3.4" |
| Jun | 88°F | 69°F | 4.2" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 85°F | 67°F | 4.1" |
| Octbest time | 77°F | 58°F | 2.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 47°F | 2.7" |
| Decbest time | 60°F | 43°F | 4.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in South Carolina peak in January, when 315 of the year's 2,868 verified observations are logged — about 11% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and October.
The quietest stretch is July, August and June, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — July sees just 132 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 South 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 South Carolina
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ninety Six National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Congaree National Park — National Park
- Cowpens National Battlefield — National Battlefield
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in South Carolina?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and October, based on 2,868 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in South Carolina?+
July is the quietest month for turkey vultures in South Carolina, with only 132 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in South Carolina?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More wildlife in South Carolina