Turkey Vulture in January
Where turkey vultures are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Turkey Vulture's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Turkey Vulture specifically, January 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 January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, 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 January
Turkey vultures are not nesting in January. 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 January
- Carrion; roadkill in winter
Circles low over neighborhoods on rising thermals and roosts communally in tall trees.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Turkey Vulture diet guide → · Best feeder for turkey vultures →
Watching turkey vultures this month
Turkey vultures are settled and predictable in January, 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 January?
In January, turkey vultures are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do turkey vultures nest in January?
No — turkey vultures typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do turkey vultures eat in January?
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.