The Turkey Vulture is one of 26 North American raptors that are partial migrants. Northern populations of these Vultures tend to be highly migratory whereas southern populations are less migratory (sedentary). During migration northern birds “leap-frog” over and winter farther south than southern birds.

What time of year do Turkey Vultures migrate?

But the first genuine migrants show up across the US as early as February or March. Unlike most of our returning birds, which migrate at night, Turkey Vultures migrate like hawks — in the daytime. They rise on warm spring updrafts, with a distinctive teeter from side to side.

How far do Turkey Vultures migrate?

Birds in the northeast migrate short distances southward, to North Carolina through Louisiana. Western birds migrate much farther, with large numbers (more than a million) moving through Central America and in some cases as far as Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.