Bird of Prey: California Condor
The California Condor was on the brink of extinction with its numbers dropping to less than 25. They are still endangered, but conservation efforts have paid off. Last count there were 302 California Condors in existence.
The California Condor
Description
The California Condor is a large bird with a body length of 43 to 52 inches and a wingspan of up to 9 ½ feet. The adult is black with large triangular patches of white on the underside of its wings. The head and neck are bald but there is a frill of black feathers surrounding the base of the neck. The Condor's head and neck vary in color, ranging from yellow to a reddish-orange depending on its emotional state.The Condor's feet are impressive. The middle toe is elongated but its hind one is only slightly developed. The talons on all the toes are straight and blunt. They are better adapted to walking than to gripping prey.
Male and female California Condors are similar in appearance but unlike most birds of prey, the female California Condor is smaller than its mate. The juveniles are predominantly dark brown with blackish coloration on their heads. The markings on the underside of its wings are a mottled gray rather than the distinguishing white triangles.
Range and Habitat
Before their numbers declined, the California Condor could be found throughout the American Southwest. The last wild bird was taken into captivity in 1987. In recent years captive-bred condors have been released in sanctuaries in southern California and in the Grand Canyon.California Condors prefer rocky scrubland and coniferous forests. They are often found near cliffs and trees which they use for nesting sites. An individual bird's range is huge. They have been known to travel up to 150 miles in search of carrion.
The lack of feathers on the Condors head and neck is an adaptation. They are carrion eaters which is dead and rotting meat. The lack of feathers exposes the head and neck to the sterilizing effects of ultraviolet light.
California Condor
IMGP0467
IMGP0464
IMGP0462
IMGP0416
IMGP0444
IMGP0466
IMGP0404
IMGP0425
IMGP0420
IMGP0461
The California Condor
Mating and Nesting Habits
California Condors reach sexual maturity at 6 years of age. When courting a female, the male turns his head red and puffs out his neck feathers. He spreads his wings and slowly approaches the female. If the female lowers her head, she's accepting the male's advances. Once mated, they mate for life.The nest is built in a cave or on a cleft in a cliff. There are usually trees nearby as well as open spaces. The female lays one bluish-white egg every other year. If the egg is lost, the female will lay another egg. That trait has been utilized by researchers and breeders to increase the Condor's reproduction rate. They will take the first egg and hand-rear it while the pair produces another egg to replace the lost one.
The egg is incubated for 53 to 60 days by both parents. The chicks are covered with a gray down and don't start sprouting feathers until they are almost as large as their parents. Fledging occurs at 5 to 6 months and the juveniles root and hunt with their parents until they are 2 years old. At that point they are displaced with a new hatchling.
The California Condor can soar to heights of 15,000 feet and will travel up to 150 miles in search of its next meal.
Eating Habits
California Condors are carrion eaters. They will travel up to 150 miles in a single day in search of carcasses. They prefer large carcasses such as deer, goats, sheep, horses, bears, and cattle, but will feed off of smaller mammals when necessary. The California Condor does not have a sense of smell. They rely on other scavengers to locate the kill. Once the carcass is found, the Condor uses its size to intimidate other scavengers. Except for Golden Eagles and bears, most the scavengers back off. The Golden Eagle will fight for the right to feed but the bear usually ignores the birds and eats his fill.California Condors are opportunistic eaters. When food is available, they will gorge themselves sometimes even to the point of having trouble lifting off the ground. After such a feast, they may go a few days to 2 weeks before eating again.
The California Condor has the largest wingspan of any North American bird, but the Trumpeter Swan beats them out in body length and weight.
Flight
The California Condor in Flight
Recognizing Birds of Prey
Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors In Flight
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/25/2008)
Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/25/2008)
Birds of Prey Coloring Book (Coloring Books)
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 07/25/2008)
Raptors of Western North America: The Wheeler Guides
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 07/25/2008)
Conservation Status
California Condors
Condor: To the Brink and Back--The Life and Times of One Giant Bird
Amazon Price: $19.72 (as of 07/25/2008)
Condors in Canyon Country: The Return of the California Condor to the Grand Canyon Region
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/25/2008)
On the Brink of Extinction: The California Condor
Amazon Price: $15.60 (as of 07/25/2008)
California Condors (Returning Wildlife)
Amazon Price: $23.70 (as of 07/25/2008)
California Condor, The (Endangered in America)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Elizabeth's Websites
- South Carolina Birder
- An information blog on wild birds, bird watching, and creating a backyard bird sanctuary.
- Elizabeth Jean Allen
- Elizabeth Jean Allen grew up in rural Minnesota, but has spent most of her adult life on the shores of South Carolina. She currently resides in Charleston, SC with her husband Chris and their two sons, Charles and Gregory. She spends the bulk of the year teaching high school science, and spends what little free time she has, reading, writing, and studying the birds.
Have some fun with the birds.
Bird-Opoly Garden Bird Monopoly Board Game featuring; Loon, Gold Finch, Reuby-Throated Hummingbird, California Condor, White Pelica, Swan, Flamingo, Wiood Stork, Bald Eagle, Canada Goose, Great Horned Owl, Pigeons, DOves, Mallard Duck Red Tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Roadrunner, Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Robin, Norhtern Cardinal, Baltimore Oriol, Chimney Swift and Black Capped Chickadee
Amazon Price: $21.25 (as of 07/25/2008)
Two in one. Teach your children about the birds and finance while having fun.
Lizzy's Lenographies
-
Buzy Lizzy's Lenses
-
Before I sat down to create this lensography, I took a look at my list of lenses. They are as varied as the students in my classroom. Can one be passionate about so many different things? I say yes. My passion is writing, but I am first and foremost...
-
Busy Lizzy's Bird Lenses
-
As we go through life, some sights and events have a profound impact on our lives, while others flitter past unnoticed. Some passions can be traced back to that single pivotal point while others grow seemingly unnoticed for years. I am a morning pers...
Audubon Birds
Other Popular Birds of Prey by Lizzy
-
Swainson's Hawk
-
The Swainson's Hawk can eat an average of 100 grasshoppers a day giving it the nickname 'Grasshopper Hawk'.
-
The Northern Harrier
-
The Northern Harrier is one of the most widespread and easily recognized raptors in North America. It has an owl-like facial disc which allows it to hunt by sound as well as sight. It has been known to locate its prey by sound alone.
-
Golden Eagle
-
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. They prefer the open country rather than forests and can be spotted in desert grasslands, and above the timberline.
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
|
CCB
I'm glad to see the California Condor making a comeback from the brink of extinction. Good job! Posted April 02, 2008 |
|
SemperFidelis
Very nice lens Elizabeth! 5* ;) Posted March 26, 2008 |
|
Evelyn_Saenz
Thank you for joining www.squidoo.com/groups/woods. I enjoyed reading your lens. Thank you for opening my eyes to new information and ideas. Posted March 20, 2008 |
|
|
Evelyn_Saenz
A Fairy Tale Wolf sniffed out your lens and liked it so well that he is sending you a virtual Skunk Literacy Bag. Posted March 20, 2008 |
Resources used to construct this page
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
University of Minnesota Raptor Center
California Condor, The Peregrine Fund
