The 10-year migration count trends for Turkey Vultures suggested mostly increasing populations across North America as 52% of sites recorded increased counts during this span. Stable counts were detected at 32.8% of the sites while 15% of sites showed declines. Populations are mostly stable in all North American regions, particularly the Northeastern states and provinces. The Eastern Region has observed the greatest increases as 55% of sites observed increased counts (see pie charts and trend maps below). This is consistent with historic count data with increases particularly in northern sites. Twenty-year count trends (not shown) reflect a stable population in most regions except for the East Region which observed increases at most sites during this span. Increases in counts are likely reflecting the northward expansion in the nesting range of Turkey Vultures, recently expanding into Canada. Declines were noted for a third of counts sites in Gulf and Central regions which bears further scrutiny.

Winter survey data from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) show increasing trends continent-wide with an annual percent change in population of 3.33% between 2009-2022. Additionally, 10-year abundance data from eBird reports an increase in Turkey Vulture populations range-wide, with a median increase of 12.2% from 2012-2022. The Turkey Vulture is designated as a Species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, and as obligate scavengers, they perform valuable ecosystem services for humans through carcass disposal and disease prevention. Turkey Vultures are sensitive to nest disturbance, changes in habitat, and environmental contaminants. They benefit from traditional farming practices as well as human alteration of natural habitats, taking advantage of road kills and dumps.