| Description
Aside from being one of the most famous endangered species, the California Condor is also North America’s largest soaring bird, with a wingspan of almost 3 meters. Adults have black bodies and triangular white wing linings. Like other carrion eaters, the condor’s head is bare, and, in mature birds, is colored with shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and light blue. Short black feathers between the eyes and down to the jawline form a facial mask. The beak is long, sharp, and powerful. Males and females look similar, while juveniles are entirely dark with grayish coloration under the wings. Habitat
Preferred condor habitat is mountainous country at low to moderate elevations, especially rocky and brushy areas. Nests are generally constructed in a cave on a cliff or a crevice among boulders on a steep slope. California Condors are wide-ranging diurnal scavengers, scanning visually for carrion while soaring and often taking their cues from other scavengers such as crows, ravens, and eagles. They prefer fresh kills and consume their food on the ground in large open areas, which allow them enough runway for taking off and landing. Condors, which can live as long as 45 years, reach sexual maturity and attain adult plumage and coloration by age five or six. California Condors typically are monogamous, but, if a mate is lost, condors will re-pair. Prior to mating, a male will perform a ritualistic courtship display in front of the female. Nesting usually occurs between February and March, with females laying one egg every second year. Range
The condor's historic range extended in the west from British Columbia and Alberta south through Baja California. By 1890, it was estimated that only 600 of these birds existed in the wild, and by 1982, the number had been reduced to a mere 22 birds, which were taken into captivity by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for safety and captive breeding. Successful breeding has led to the release of individuals to the wild, beginning in California in 1992, and expanding to Arizona in 1996 and Baja California in 2002. Since 1992, captive-reared condors have nested and hatched wild-born chicks, though with limited success. In 2007, the three re-established wild populations totaled 158 birds, with 142 additional birds in captivity. Threats
While the size of the California Condor ensures that it has few natural enemies, current threats include poisoning from lead bullets eaten while feeding on the remains of un-recovered and field-dressed deer, collisions with power lines, and poison intended for ground squirrels and coyotes. Extensive habitat loss and degradation severely limit the potential area condors can live and be successfully re-introduced. Chemical contamination may also be a threat. Natural factors, such as a low reproductive rate and slow maturation, are also barriers to recovery.
|
