WhenToBird

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Montana?

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

Turkey Vultures reach Montana in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of September (12% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Montana.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 15-21mid March
Common byApr 1-7early April
PeakSep 8-14the second week of September
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of September. First arrivals mid March; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 12% of Montana checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Vultures in Montana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Turkey VultureMar 15-21Apr 1-7Sep 8-14Oct 1-712%
0%5%10%15%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 Montana 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 Montana

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Musselshell CountyBest mid September · 12 checklists that week, 961 in all50%
  2. Dawson CountyBest late April · 15 checklists that week, 743 in all45%
  3. Garfield CountyBest the second week of September · 13 checklists that week, 504 in all42%
  4. Wibaux CountyBest early September · 13 checklists that week, 435 in all36%
  5. Sweet Grass CountyBest the second week of September · 36 checklists that week, 1,532 in all30%
  6. Broadwater CountyBest late August · 114 checklists that week, 2,470 in all29%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Montana?
Turkey Vultures reach Montana in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of September (12% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Montana.
When do vultures leave Montana?
Most Turkey Vultures have left Montana by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of October.
When is the best time to see vultures in Montana?
The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of September, on about 12% of Montana checklists.