Black Vulture in October
Where black vultures are in October, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
October in the Black Vulture's year
October brings the year's great turnover. The last long-distance migrants depart, winter visitors arrive from the North, and sparrows flood back into brushy edges and feeder yards. The first hard frosts end the insect season across most of the continent.
For the Black Vulture specifically, October is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 24 states and provinces where black vultures occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where black vultures are in October
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In October, black vultures are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in October
Black vultures are not nesting in October. The season runs February–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, black vultures put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in October
- Carrion and roadkill
More social and aggressive than Turkey Vultures; large roosts gather on towers and rooftops.
This is the month to get winter feeding stations established — birds are scouting the food sources they'll rely on all winter.
Full Black Vulture diet guide → · Best feeder for black vultures →
Watching black vultures this month
Black vultures are settled and predictable in October, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region black vultures are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Black Vulture month by month
Black Vulture by state
Frequently asked
Where are black vultures in October?
In October, black vultures are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do black vultures nest in October?
No — black vultures typically nest February through June at mid-latitudes.
What do black vultures eat in October?
Carrion and roadkill.
Sources
- Black Vulture — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Vulture life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Vulture — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.