WhenToBird

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Nevada?

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

Turkey Vultures reach Nevada in mid February, are common by early March, peak in mid April (19% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Nevada.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 15-21mid February
Common byMar 1-7early March
PeakApr 15-21mid April
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: mid April. First arrivals mid February; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 19% of Nevada checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marpeak season
  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 Nevada, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Turkey VultureFeb 15-21Mar 1-7Apr 15-21Oct 1-719%
0%5%10%15%20%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 Nevada 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 Nevada

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Storey CountyBest the second week of April · 48 checklists that week, 1,593 in all42%
  2. Lincoln CountyBest mid August · 45 checklists that week, 3,842 in all40%
  3. Douglas CountyBest mid April · 142 checklists that week, 7,476 in all40%
  4. Lander CountyBest mid September · 19 checklists that week, 1,413 in all34%
  5. Carson CityBest the second week of May · 222 checklists that week, 6,992 in all30%
  6. Pershing CountyBest late July · 16 checklists that week, 1,407 in all27%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Nevada?
Turkey Vultures reach Nevada in mid February, are common by early March, peak in mid April (19% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Nevada.
When do vultures leave Nevada?
Most Turkey Vultures have left Nevada by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see vultures in Nevada?
The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in mid April, on about 19% of Nevada checklists.