Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus

With the largest wing surface of any bird and both measuring and weighing in as one of the largest birds of prey, it is no wonder that the Andean condor has played a role in the folklore, mythology and ceremonial customs of many South American nations. Today, these vultures are the national symbols of several nations where they are native residents.

Common Name: Andean Condor, Argentinean Condor, Chilean Condor, Peruvian Condor

Scientific Name: Vultur gryphus

Scientific Family: Cathartidae

Appearance:

Bill: Dark base with ivory white tip, strongly hooked
Size: 40-50 inches long with 105-125-inch wingspan, rectangular wings, heavy build
Colors: Black, white, gray, brown, pink-orange
Markings: Dimorphic species. Males have a bare head with orange-pink to gray-pink skin and a tall, fleshy comb from the base of the bill onto the forehead, with a few minor wattles on the sides of the head and neck. A fluffy white ruff rings the base of the neck. The upperparts are black, with white secondary feathers and coverts on the wings that show well on the upperside of the wings in flight. The underparts are a sooty black, as is the medium length tail that extends only slightly longer than the legs and feet in flight. The legs and feet are gray, and the eyes vary from yellow to red. Females are similar to males but are slightly smaller and lack the comb and wattles on the head.

Juveniles are similar to adults but have brown overall plumage that is paler on the wings, gray skin on the head and neck and a dark bill.

Species is monotypic.

Foods: Carrion, eggs (See: Carnivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These condors are found in remote areas of the Andes Mountains from Peru to Argentina, with their range extending to the coast in the west and somewhat inland over grassy plains, but never getting far from tall, bare cliffs. While these condors can fly up to 125 miles or further from their nesting sites to search for food, they do not regularly migrate.

Vocalizations:

Andean condors do not have a syrinx and cannot make complex vocalizations. Their vocabulary is made up of hisses, clicks and grunts.

Behavior:

These vultures soar high on thermals and updrafts with their primary feathers spread at the wingtip, and while they often prefer to fall from a height in order to become airborne, their wide wingspan and broad wings make soaring no effort and they rarely flap. They have excellent eyesight and locate carcasses visually or by watching other scavengers converge on a food source. They seek out large carcasses, including whales and seals on the beach, and while they are typically solitary or stay in smaller groups, larger flocks may gather at a good food source.

Andean condors may eat 4-5 pounds of meat in a single feeding, and after the meal will remain on the ground for several hours to digest. If threatened during that time, they will vomit to lighten their body weight and make it easier to get airborne. Because they are able to gorge, they can also fast for several days between meals. In hot climates, they may urinate on their legs to take advantage of evaporative cooling.

Reproduction:

These condors do not become sexually mature for 5-7 years, but they mate for life after a courtship display that includes the male inflating his neck and bare chest patch, spreading his wings and hissing while he approaches a female in a clumsy dance. These birds do not make nests, but instead lay their eggs on a covered cliff ledge or inside a high cave.

Only one white egg is laid in each brood, though if that egg is destroyed a second egg may be laid as a replacement. Both parents share incubation duties for 50-60 days, and they care for their young hatchlings for 180-190 days after hatching until their first flight. Once the young condors can fly, they stay with their parents for up to two years. Because of this long incubation and fledgling period, Andean condors only breed every other year, and may skip breeding cycles when food is scarce.

Attracting Andean Condors:

These are not backyard birds, but because they will range great distances in search of food, they may appear anywhere in their range where a suitable carcass is located. Otherwise, they are popular birds to see in captivity at zoos and aviaries worldwide, many of which participate in captive breeding programs.

Conservation:

These large birds of prey are considered "near threatened" by international listings, though local conservation ratings can label them as threatened or endangered depending on regional populations and ongoing threats. Overall populations are declining, and because these birds take several years to mature, they are particularly vulnerable to persecution by humans. Andean condors are occasionally killed because of a perceived threat to livestock, and poisoned carcasses can also be fatal to these scavengers. Ongoing captive breeding programs are successful with Andean condors, and local education programs can be helpful to change perceptions of these birds.