Are There Turkey Vultures in Vermont?
Yes, Turkey Vultures are seasonal visitors to Vermont, appearing each spring and departing by fall. These large dark vultures breed throughout Vermont from April through September, soaring over the Green Mountains. Winter brings few Turkey Vultures, as birds migrate south where carrion remains accessible. Spring arrivals signal warming weather.
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 · naturalist charlie CC BY
Turkey Vulture · naturalist charlie CC BY
- 1
- species recorded
- 87,567
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- April, May, March
- peak months
Yes, turkey vultures are in Vermont. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,628 verified observations on iNaturalist of turkey vulture have been recorded in Vermont, most often in April, May, March.
When turkey vulture are recorded in Vermont
Yes, Turkey Vultures are seasonal visitors to Vermont, appearing each spring and departing by fall. These large dark vultures breed throughout Vermont from April through September, soaring over the Green Mountains. Winter brings few Turkey Vultures, as birds migrate south where carrion remains accessible. Spring arrivals signal warming weather.
Where Turkey Vultures Are Found in Vermont
Turkey Vultures in Vermont show a strong preference for lower elevations and open habitats, particularly along river valleys and in agricultural areas. In southern Vermont, Turkey Vultures are more abundant and arrive earlier in spring compared to northern regions. The Connecticut River valley and its tributaries provide excellent habitat and support useful breeding populations. West of the Green Mountains, the valleys around the Winooski River, along with surrounding lower elevation areas, attract Turkey Vultures throughout the breeding season. Lake Champlain's shores and the surrounding Champlain Valley support populations where birds soar over water and adjacent lands. The Northeast Kingdom, Vermont's most northern region, hosts fewer Turkey Vultures, and they arrive later in spring and depart earlier in fall. Open farmland, grasslands, and cut areas in forests throughout the state provide suitable foraging habitat. Turkey Vultures are less common in heavily forested upland areas and the highest mountain ridges. In the Green Mountains, they concentrate in gaps and valleys rather than summits. Seethe Turkey Vultures guide for Vermontfor more.
Seasonal Timing and Activity
Turkey Vultures are highly seasonal in Vermont, functioning as spring and summer breeders that migrate away for winter. Initial arrivals occur in late March and early April, when warmer weather begins developing thermals in Vermont's valleys. Numbers build through May as additional birds arrive and establish breeding territories. From June through August, Turkey Vultures are most abundant and visible as they nest and raise young. Peak activity occurs during summer months when birds are most vocal and active near nesting sites. Fall departure begins in August, accelerating through September and early October. By November, few if any Turkey Vultures remain in Vermont, as birds move to southern wintering grounds. Winter months see virtually no Turkey Vultures in Vermont. The timing of spring arrival correlates with warming temperatures and thermal development. Best viewing occurs during warm afternoons from late April through September, when thermals form and birds soar highest. Overcast days and cool mornings produce fewer sightings. Seethe Vermont wildlife guidefor more.
Identifying Turkey Vultures in Vermont
Turkey Vultures are large, dark vultures with unmistakable field marks. Adults display uniformly black plumage on the body and wings, with a distinctive bare red head visible at moderate to close range. Their wings show a two-toned pattern from below: dark at the shoulder and silvery gray on the flight feathers and trailing edge. This two-toned pattern is visible even at considerable distances and is diagnostic. The tail is relatively short and rounded. Immature birds show a grayish or pale head rather than the bright red of adults. In flight, Turkey Vultures hold their wings in a characteristic V-shape, or dihedral position, which is distinctive and different from other large raptors. Their characteristic wobbling or rocking flight style, combined with the V-shaped wing posture, makes identification reliable even from great distances. They are slow and heavy fliers that rarely flap their wings, instead relying on soaring and gliding on thermals. When perched, they display a characteristic slouched or hunch-backed posture. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Where to Find Turkey Vultures in Vermont
Turkey Vultures are easiest to observe in open areas with good thermals during Vermont's warmer months. In southern Vermont, travel along Route 91 and valleys near Brattleboro often produce sightings. The Connecticut River valley from the Massachusetts border northward provides consistent viewing opportunities. West of the Green Mountains, the Champlain Valley offers reliable sightings, particularly near Lake Champlain shores and agricultural areas. Snake Mountain, a prominent ridge west of Lake Champlain, regularly hosts soaring birds. The Winooski River valley around Waterbury and surrounding areas offers productive viewing from late spring through fall. Agricultural lands in the Champlain Valley and other open areas throughout the state host birds. Ridgeline trails in the Green Mountains may produce sightings in gaps where thermals develop. Roadside observation from rural roads through valleys and farmland often yields the best viewing. Open meadows and field edges provide good viewing points. Early to mid-afternoon offers the best sightings when thermals are strongest.
Typical Behavior and Diet
Turkey Vultures are obligate scavengers that feed entirely on carrion. They possess an exceptional sense of smell, among the best of all birds, and use this ability to locate dead animals from great distances. They search for food by soaring in broad patterns that allow them to cover large territories. Once a food source is located, multiple Turkey Vultures typically gather and feed together. They are generally silent birds but produce hisses and low grunts when disturbed at a carcass. Turkey Vultures gather at communal roosts in evening hours, perching together in tall trees, cliff faces, or on tall structures. In Vermont's cooler climate, carrion availability varies seasonally, with more food sources available during hunting season in fall. Turkey Vultures spend the majority of daylight hours soaring and searching for food, conserving energy through gliding on thermals. They rarely flap their wings, instead riding air currents efficiently. Their breeding season nesting sites are often in caves, cliff overhangs, hollow trees, or abandoned structures where they lay eggs and raise chicks.
Coexistence and Protection Notes
Turkey Vultures are protected by federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and cannot be harmed without special permits. In Vermont, residents should appreciate them as natural cleanup crews that remove carrion and reduce disease transmission. They pose no threat to humans or domestic animals. Dead wildlife and carrion that Turkey Vultures consume benefit property owners and the broader ecosystem by reducing potential disease sources. Turkey Vultures rarely conflict with other wildlife, as they occupy a unique ecological niche. Vermont residents occasionally express concern about roosting birds, but they are harmless and simply need shelter during overnight hours. If roosting near homes becomes problematic, exclusion methods like netting or perch modification can discourage them. Most Vermont residents accept Turkey Vultures as valuable components of the natural ecosystem. The presence of Turkey Vultures indicates healthy forests and ecosystems with appropriate food sources and habitat. Their spring arrival is a welcome sign of warming weather and the return of wildlife activity. Legally, Turkey Vultures must be protected and left unmolested.
Species Often Confused with Turkey Vultures
Several large raptors share Vermont skies with Turkey Vultures and may cause confusion. Golden Eagles are uncommon but sometimes occur during migration and winter, and they are the most likely species to be mistaken for Turkey Vultures. Golden Eagles are stockier with a heavier head and neck, and they hold their wings flat when soaring, unlike Turkey Vultures' V-shape. Golden Eagles have longer, more squared-off tails. Bald Eagles are increasingly common in Vermont and much larger, with distinctive white head and tail markings. Red-tailed Hawks are common and much smaller than Turkey Vultures, with broader wings and different silhouettes. Black Vultures are rare visitors to Vermont and much smaller than Turkey Vultures, showing white wing patches. Northern Harriers soar with wings in a V-shape but are far smaller and show gray plumage on males. Osprey are smaller, show white underparts, and hunt over water. Young light-morph Red-tailed Hawks can briefly appear similar from a distance, but their smaller size and different proportions resolve the identification. Learning Turkey Vultures' distinctive V-shaped wing posture and wobbling flight makes separation from all other Vermont birds straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Turkey Vultures attack people or pets? No, Turkey Vultures feed only on carrion and show no interest in living animals. They are completely harmless to humans and domestic pets. Q: Why do Turkey Vultures leave Vermont in winter? Turkey Vultures migrate south when carrion becomes scarce under snow and frozen ground in Vermont. They return to warmer regions where dead animals remain accessible throughout winter. Q: What is that rocking motion in their flight? Turkey Vultures rock their wings side to side as they soar, using this motion to maintain balance and adjust flight without flapping. This conserves energy and is their signature flight pattern. Q: When do Turkey Vultures arrive in Vermont? Turkey Vultures typically arrive in late March and early April, with numbers building through May. Arrival timing depends on weather and thermal development. For more about Vermont wildlife, visit/wildlife/vermont. Explore/wildlifeto learn about species nationwide.
Plan your trip
Best time to see turkey vulture in Vermont: April, May, March
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your turkey vulture sighting in Vermont
87,567 verified turkey vulture records have been logged in Vermont, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Vermont
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Dead Creek WMA IBA · 267 species recorded
- Missisquoi NWR IBA · 257 species recorded
- Shelburne Bay · 256 species recorded
- Delta Park IBA · 253 species recorded
- Dead Creek WMA IBA--Brilyea Access · 239 species recorded
- Herrick's Cove IBA · 239 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent turkey vulture sightings
- Warren · 2026-07-20 10:50 · 1 seen
- Wilburton Inn, Manchester, VT · 2026-07-20 10:20 · 1 seen
- Lefferts Pond - Chittenden (55 acres) · 2026-07-20 10:15 · 1 seen
- Rock River Acres · 2026-07-20 09:55 · 3 seen
- Alburg Dunes State Park · 2026-07-20 09:48 · 2 seen
More wildlife in Vermont