WhenToBird

2 vulture species in Indiana

When Do Vultures Arrive in Indiana?

Adult Turkey Vulture
Photo: Andrew Murray, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

The Turkey Vulture is in Indiana all year. It turns up on about 36% of checklists at its peak (mid April) and on 4.0% in its quietest week (mid January). They are by far the most reported vultures in Indiana.

When to look

PresentAll year
Peak weekApr 15-21mid April
Quietest weekJan 15-21mid January

Best: mid April. Here all year. Peak: on about 36% of Indiana checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febcommon
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octpeak season
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Vultures in Indiana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Turkey Vultureall year–Apr 15-21–36%
Black Vultureall year–Nov 1-7–2.7%
0%10%20%30%40%Turkey VultureBlack VultureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • 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 Indiana 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 Indiana

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Fountain CountyBest mid March · 12 checklists that week, 397 in all83%
  2. Clinton CountyBest the second week of June · 15 checklists that week, 900 in all78%
  3. Parke CountyBest early April · 44 checklists that week, 1,527 in all76%
  4. Blackford CountyBest the second week of October · 10 checklists that week, 962 in all74%
  5. Washington CountyBest early November · 19 checklists that week, 1,463 in all73%
  6. Scott CountyBest the second week of March · 22 checklists that week, 798 in all69%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Indiana?
The Turkey Vulture is in Indiana all year. It turns up on about 36% of checklists at its peak (mid April) and on 4.0% in its quietest week (mid January). They are by far the most reported vultures in Indiana.
When do vultures leave Indiana?
The Turkey Vulture does not leave Indiana: it is reported all year, from 4.0% of checklists in mid January to 36% in mid April.
When is the best time to see vultures in Indiana?
The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in mid April, on about 36% of Indiana checklists.
Which vultures are in Indiana?
Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture are reported regularly; the Turkey Vulture is the most common.