Arequipa and Nasca Tours
The Condor

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Condor, click to enlarge photo

 

Condor, common name for two large American vultures, the Andean condor and the California condor. Both are among the largest living flying birds. The Andean condor has the larger wingspread, reaching about 3.23 m (about 10.5 ft); the wingspread of the California condor does not exceed about 2.9 m (about 9.5 ft). The California condor is somewhat heavier, weighing up to 14 kg (up to 31 lb), and male Andean condors weigh about 11.5 kg (about 25 lb).
Both condors have sooty-black body plumage and a large white area in the wing, on the upper side in the Andean condor and on the underside in the California condor. The naked head of the Andean condor is dull red, and the males have a prominent fleshy comb on the forehead. A fluffy white ruff encircles the lower neck. California condors lack the comb, but the naked skin of the head of adults is bright yellow and red. The neck ruff is of long, pointed, black feathers.
Condors lay their single eggs on rock ledges (Andean) or on cave floors (California). The young develop slowly, beginning to fly at about six months of age. Both species feed almost entirely on carrion; the Andean condor may occasionally attack wounded or newborn animals.
The Andean condor is found along the Andes mountain chain from Venezuela to the Strait of Magellan, sometimes descending to feed on eggs in seabird colonies along the Pacific. The California condor had a wide range in prehistoric times, but for many years prior to 1987 was restricted to California. In that year, the few surviving condors were brought into captivity. A breeding program was begun successfully in 1988, with the intent of raising sufficient numbers to permit the return of condors to the wild in some appropriate areas. See Endangered Species.
Scientific classification: Condors belong to the family Cathartidae of the order Falconiformes. The Andean condor is classified as Vultur gryphus and the California condor as Gymnogyps californianus.