WhenToBird

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Oregon?

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

Turkey Vultures reach Oregon in late February, are common by mid March, peak in the second week of May (26% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Oregon.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 22-28late February
Common byMar 15-21mid March
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals late February; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 26% of Oregon checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febrare
  3. Marpeak season
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  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 Oregon, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Turkey VultureFeb 22-28Mar 15-21May 8-14Oct 1-726%
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 Oregon 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 Oregon

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Polk CountyBest the second week of September · 340 checklists that week, 29,096 in all47%
  2. Harney CountyBest the second week of September · 1053 checklists that week, 40,943 in all44%
  3. Wasco CountyBest late April · 379 checklists that week, 13,127 in all43%
  4. Douglas CountyBest the second week of May · 491 checklists that week, 17,976 in all43%
  5. Josephine CountyBest early August · 308 checklists that week, 20,837 in all43%
  6. Curry CountyBest mid June · 226 checklists that week, 12,513 in all43%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Oregon?
Turkey Vultures reach Oregon in late February, are common by mid March, peak in the second week of May (26% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Oregon.
When do vultures leave Oregon?
Most Turkey Vultures have left Oregon 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 Oregon?
The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 26% of Oregon checklists.