Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Wisconsin
April, May and June is the best time to see turkey vultures in Wisconsin. Based on 1,678 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures are most active across the year in Wisconsin.
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 · L.J. Lamera CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Coryn Fox Corvus CC BY
Turkey Vulture · aarongunnar CC BY
1,678 verified observations of turkey vultures in Wisconsin, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
April
390 records (23.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.2% |
| February | 5 | 0.3% |
| March | 173 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 390 | 23.2% |
| Maypeak | 349 | 20.8% |
| Junepeak | 201 | 12% |
| July | 179 | 10.7% |
| August | 134 | 8% |
| September | 134 | 8% |
| October | 106 | 6.3% |
| November | 4 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,678 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Wisconsin
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 32 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°F | 10°F | 1.4" |
| Feb | 25°F | 7°F | 2" |
| Mar | 40°F | 21°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 32°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.4" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.5" |
| Aug | 77°F | 60°F | 3.5" |
| Sep | 70°F | 53°F | 3" |
| Oct | 55°F | 40°F | 3.3" |
| Nov | 41°F | 27°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 32°F | 17°F | 1.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Wisconsin. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of turkey vultures in Wisconsin peak in April, when 390 of the year's 1,678 verified observations are logged — about 23.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
- Horicon NWR (general) (please use more precise locations)
- Manitowoc Lakefront
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see turkey vultures in Wisconsin?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,678 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Wisconsin?+
December is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Wisconsin, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Wisconsin?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Wisconsin, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.