When do vultures leave Arizona?

Turkey Vultures never fully leave Arizona: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of October, but some are still reported in every week, about 3.6% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see vultures in Arizona?

The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in mid September, on about 37% of Arizona checklists.

Which vultures are in Arizona?

Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture are reported regularly; the Turkey Vulture is the most common.

2 vulture species in Arizona

When Do Vultures Arrive in Arizona?

Photo: Andrew Murray, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Turkey Vultures are in Arizona all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid March, peak in mid September (37% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of October. In the quietest week (early December) they are still on about 3.6% of checklists. They are by far the most reported vultures in Arizona.

When to look

Numbers buildMar 15-21mid March

PeakSep 15-21mid September

Fall back byOct 8-14the second week of October

FewestDec 1-7early December

Best: mid September. Here all year; numbers build from mid March and fall back by the second week of October. Peak: on about 37% of Arizona checklists.

Janrare
Febuncommon
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octpeak season
Novrare
Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Vultures in Arizona, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Turkey Vulture	Mar 15-21	Mar 15-21	Sep 15-21	Oct 8-14	37%
Black Vulture	Nov 8-14	Dec 8-14	Mar 15-21	Oct 8-14	3.6%

Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Arizona that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Arizona

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak

Greenlee CountyBest late September · 49 checklists that week, 2,745 in all62%
Santa Cruz CountyBest mid September · 1693 checklists that week, 162,726 in all58%
Pinal CountyBest mid September · 571 checklists that week, 40,036 in all57%
Gila CountyBest the second week of September · 272 checklists that week, 14,834 in all51%
La Paz CountyBest mid September · 63 checklists that week, 7,279 in all49%
Cochise CountyBest late September · 2558 checklists that week, 190,093 in all47%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Arizona?: Turkey Vultures are in Arizona all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid March, peak in mid September (37% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of October. In the quietest week (early December) they are still on about 3.6% of checklists. They are by far the most reported vultures in Arizona.
When do vultures leave Arizona?: Turkey Vultures never fully leave Arizona: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of October, but some are still reported in every week, about 3.6% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see vultures in Arizona?: The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in mid September, on about 37% of Arizona checklists.
Which vultures are in Arizona?: Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture are reported regularly; the Turkey Vulture is the most common.