WhenToBird

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Michigan?

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

Turkey Vultures reach Michigan in late February, are common by the second week of March, peak in mid April (28% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are the only regular vultures in Michigan.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 22-28late February
Common byMar 8-14the second week of March
PeakApr 15-21mid April
Most gone byOct 22-31late October

Best: mid April. First arrivals late February; most are gone by late October. Peak: on about 28% of Michigan checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febrare
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Vultures in Michigan, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Turkey VultureFeb 22-28Mar 8-14Apr 15-21Oct 22-3128%
0%10%20%30%Turkey VultureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • 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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Ogemaw CountyBest late April · 132 checklists that week, 4,675 in all60%
  2. Huron CountyBest mid April · 59 checklists that week, 4,733 in all58%
  3. Hillsdale CountyBest early September · 153 checklists that week, 9,510 in all55%
  4. Lenawee CountyBest early April · 371 checklists that week, 11,588 in all55%
  5. Ionia CountyBest late April · 237 checklists that week, 5,509 in all53%
  6. Gratiot CountyBest the second week of April · 153 checklists that week, 5,892 in all50%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Michigan?
Turkey Vultures reach Michigan in late February, are common by the second week of March, peak in mid April (28% of checklists), and most are gone by late October. They are the only regular vultures in Michigan.
When do vultures leave Michigan?
Most Turkey Vultures have left Michigan by late October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of November.
When is the best time to see vultures in Michigan?
The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in mid April, on about 28% of Michigan checklists.