Turkey Vulture in December
Where turkey vultures are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Turkey Vulture's year
December is the start of the true winter season. Birds are settled into winter ranges and flocking behavior peaks — mixed flocks move through woods and yards together, and feeding stations become social hubs. Short days mean birds must find most of their food in a few hours of daylight.
For the Turkey Vulture specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 56 states and provinces where turkey vultures occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where turkey vultures are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, turkey 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 December
Turkey vultures are not nesting in December. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, turkey 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 December
- Carrion; roadkill in winter
Circles low over neighborhoods on rising thermals and roosts communally in tall trees.
Feeders are busiest at dawn and dusk as birds fuel up against long cold nights. Suet and other high-fat foods earn their keep this month.
Full Turkey Vulture diet guide → · Best feeder for turkey vultures →
Watching turkey vultures this month
Turkey vultures are settled and predictable in December, 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 turkey vultures are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Turkey Vulture month by month
Turkey Vulture by state
Frequently asked
Where are turkey vultures in December?
In December, turkey vultures are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do turkey vultures nest in December?
No — turkey vultures typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do turkey vultures eat in December?
Carrion; roadkill in winter.
Sources
- Turkey Vulture — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Turkey Vulture life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Turkey 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.