When do vultures leave Wyoming?

Most Turkey Vultures have left Wyoming 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 Wyoming?

The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 14% of Wyoming checklists.

Turkey Vulture · Cathartes aura

When Do Vultures Arrive in Wyoming?

Photo: Andrew Murray, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Turkey Vultures reach Wyoming in late March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (14% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Wyoming.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 22-31late March

Common byApr 1-7early April

PeakMay 8-14the second week of May

Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals late March; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 14% of Wyoming checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Maruncommon
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

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

Vultures in Wyoming, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Turkey Vulture	Mar 22-31	Apr 1-7	May 8-14	Oct 1-7	14%

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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming

Best counties for Turkey Vulture

Share of checklists at the peak

Crook CountyBest early September · 101 checklists that week, 3,915 in all57%
Platte CountyBest mid April · 40 checklists that week, 1,645 in all43%
Hot Springs CountyBest early September · 27 checklists that week, 1,345 in all40%
Converse CountyBest the second week of September · 44 checklists that week, 3,460 in all32%
Albany CountyBest the second week of September · 530 checklists that week, 21,857 in all28%
Natrona CountyBest mid September · 120 checklists that week, 5,810 in all27%

Common questions

When do vultures arrive in Wyoming?: Turkey Vultures reach Wyoming in late March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (14% of checklists), and most are gone by early October. They are the only regular vultures in Wyoming.
When do vultures leave Wyoming?: Most Turkey Vultures have left Wyoming 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 Wyoming?: The Turkey Vulture is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 14% of Wyoming checklists.