When do vultures leave Massachusetts?

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

When is the best time to see vultures in Massachusetts?

The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 13% of Massachusetts checklists.

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Massachusetts?

Photo: Andrew Murray, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Turkey Vultures reach Massachusetts in the second week of February, are common by early March, peak in the second week of April (13% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular vultures in Massachusetts.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 8-14the second week of February

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 the second week of February; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 13% of Massachusetts checklists.

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

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

Vultures in Massachusetts, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Turkey Vulture	Feb 8-14	Mar 1-7	Apr 8-14	Nov 1-7	13%

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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak

Nantucket CountyBest early October · 481 checklists that week, 23,895 in all30%
Berkshire CountyBest the second week of April · 2760 checklists that week, 92,890 in all22%
Franklin CountyBest the second week of April · 1342 checklists that week, 41,382 in all20%
Worcester CountyBest the second week of April · 3378 checklists that week, 128,594 in all20%
Hampshire CountyBest late September · 3514 checklists that week, 162,423 in all18%
Dukes CountyBest late October · 505 checklists that week, 23,670 in all17%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Massachusetts?: Turkey Vultures reach Massachusetts in the second week of February, are common by early March, peak in the second week of April (13% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular vultures in Massachusetts.
When do vultures leave Massachusetts?: Most Turkey Vultures have left Massachusetts by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid November.
When is the best time to see vultures in Massachusetts?: The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 13% of Massachusetts checklists.