When do vultures leave Illinois?

Most Turkey Vultures have left Illinois by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early January.

When is the best time to see vultures in Illinois?

The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 22% of Illinois checklists.

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Illinois?

Photo: Andrew Murray, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Turkey Vultures reach Illinois in late January, are common by early March, peak in the second week of April (22% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular vultures in Illinois.

When to look

First arrivalsJan 22-31late January

Common byMar 1-7early March

PeakApr 8-14the second week of April

Most gone byNov 1-7early November

Best: the second week of April. First arrivals late January; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 22% of Illinois checklists.

Janrare
Febuncommon
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Juncommon
Julcommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octpeak season
Novuncommon
Decrare

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

Vultures in Illinois, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Turkey Vulture	Jan 22-31	Mar 1-7	Apr 8-14	Nov 1-7	22%

Turkey 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 Illinois 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 Illinois

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak

Edwards CountyBest the second week of November · 13 checklists that week, 797 in all81%
Wayne CountyBest mid October · 12 checklists that week, 394 in all81%
Jasper CountyBest mid September · 17 checklists that week, 1,292 in all76%
Richland CountyBest late September · 11 checklists that week, 580 in all76%
Fayette CountyBest the second week of October · 17 checklists that week, 1,050 in all75%
Monroe CountyBest mid April · 78 checklists that week, 2,547 in all73%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Illinois?: Turkey Vultures reach Illinois in late January, are common by early March, peak in the second week of April (22% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular vultures in Illinois.
When do vultures leave Illinois?: Most Turkey Vultures have left Illinois by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early January.
When is the best time to see vultures in Illinois?: The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 22% of Illinois checklists.