Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Washington
May, June and April is the best time to see turkey vultures in Washington. Based on 1,854 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Washington.
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 · Gavin Slater CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Gavin Slater CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Gavin Slater CC BY
1,854 verified observations of turkey vultures in Washington, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
393 records (21.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0.1% |
| March | 101 | 5.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 310 | 16.7% |
| Maypeak | 393 | 21.2% |
| Junepeak | 318 | 17.2% |
| July | 253 | 13.6% |
| August | 215 | 11.6% |
| September | 211 | 11.4% |
| October | 43 | 2.3% |
| November | 3 | 0.2% |
| December | 5 | 0.3% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,854 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 33 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Washington peak in May, when 393 of the year's 1,854 verified observations are logged — about 21.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is January, 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 Washington 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 1,854 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Washington?+
January is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Washington, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Washington?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Washington