Size: The largest bird in North Ameria, the California condor measures 47 inches long, with a wingspan up to 10 feet. Voice: Diet/Feeding: Flight: Taking off from the ground involves much running, flapping, and hopping, as the Condor is a very heavy bird. This large vulture prefers to jump from trees or cliff ledges, to conserve energy and more easily develop their soaring flight. Range/Habitat: The California Condor is found in the dry, open foothills of southern California and northern Arizona. They are rare and local, and have been re-introduced after years of having been extinct in the wild. Behavior: The California Condor enjoys bathing a great deal, and frequents mountain streams. After bathing, the bird spreads its magnifcent wings in the sun to dry. Life Cycle: California condors mature very slowly. Young remain in the nest for the first five months of their live, being fed regurgitated food from their parents. After these five months are past, the baby leaves the nest periodically, and soon after, fledges. Juveniles resemble their parents, but have more mottling on the underwing. They do not attain their full size or adult plumage for six years. Breeding: California Condors reproduce very slowly, laying only one egg, once every two years. This is one reason their population has had such a difficult time reestablishing itself. The egg is laid in a cave, hollow tree stump, or rock ledge. Young develop a thick gray down a few days after hatching. Status: Though now present in the wild in small numbers, the California condor was once extinct in the wild. They were first reintroduced after a successful breeding program in 1992. The last wild California Condors were captured in 1987. Still, this condor is an endangeres species, suffering fatalities from lead-poisoned carcasses, unprotected power lines, and the occasional bullet from a human. Folklore, Misc. Information: The california condor, or at least his much earlier relatives, has been in existence since before the last Ice Age! American Indians have many legends based around this condor. Some California Indian Groups believed the condor to be a messenger between earth and heaven, carrying the thoughts and prayers of the earthbound to their deceased loved ones as it flew high into the sky. Once ranging as far north as Alaska, the California condor is also present in the myths of Alaskan Indians. They believed the condor to be a thunder god, creating thunder with every wingbeat, and lightning from his red eyes. The storm, they told, would not cease until the thunderbird had found food to bring home. A California Condor in many languages: |
California Condor Gymnogyps californianus |
