From en.wikipedia.org:
[Name for two species of vultures] [date=May 2022] [date=July 2021] [Other
uses] {{Paraphyletic group | auto = yes | fossil_range = Late Pliocene –
Holocene | image = Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) at Colca Canyon.jpg |
image_caption = Andean condor soaring over southern Peru's Colca Canyon |
parent = Cathartidae | includes_text = Genera | includes = {{plainlist|
- _Vultur_
- _Gymnogyps_ }}
}}
CONDOR is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a
monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua _kuntur_.[1][2] They are
the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
One species, the Andean condor (_Vultur gryphus_), inhabits the Andean
mountains. The other, the California condor (_Gymnogyps californianus_), is
currently restricted to the western coastal mountains of the contiguous United
States and Mexico, as well as the northern desert mountains of Arizona.
** Taxonomy
[Andean condor#Taxonomy and systematics] Condors are part of the family
Cathartidae, which contains the New World vultures, whereas the 15 species of
Old World vultures are in the family Accipitridae, which also includes hawks,
eagles, and kites. The New World and Old World vultures evolved from
different ancestors. They both are carrion-eaters and the two groups are
similar in appearance due to convergent evolution.
** Description
[Andean condor#Description] Condors are very large, broad-winged soaring
birds, the Andean condor being [3] to [6] shorter (beak to tail) on average
than the northern species, but heavier and larger in wingspan.[3] The Andean
condor has a wingspan of [2.7][4] and even up to about [3.20] and a weight of
8–15 kg,<ref name=":0" /> with males ranging from [11] and females [7.5].[5]
Meanwhile the California condor has a weight of 8–14 kg and wingspan of about
109 inches, or 2.77 meters.<ref name=":0" /> California condors are North
America's largest flying land birds.<ref name=":0" /> Among all living flying
birds, the Andean condor is the third heaviest after the Kori bustard and
great bustard (up to [21]), and second only to the wandering albatross (up to
[3.5]) in wingspan.[6][7] Measurements are usually taken from specimens reared
in captivity.<ref name="Ferguson-Lees" />
The adult plumage is uniformly black, except for a frill of white feathers
nearly surrounding the base of the neck, which are meticulously kept clean by
the bird. As an adaptation for hygiene, the condor's head and neck have few
feathers, which exposes the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and
solar ultraviolet light at high altitudes. The head is much flattened above.
In the male, it is crowned with a caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck
lies in folds, forming a wattle. The head and neck skin can flush noticeably
in response to the emotional state and transmitted between individuals.<ref
name="Ferguson-Lees"/> In Andean condors, specifically males, there is
typically an extra group of skin,[date=December 2024] much like that of a
turkey. Alternatively, Andean condors often have a white feather collar at
the base of their head. Most California condors are without an extra plumage
and display a longer neck than that of the Andean.
The middle toe is greatly elongated, the hind one is slightly developed, and
the nails of all the toes are comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are
thus more adapted to walking (as in their closely related storks) and of
little use as weapons or organs of prehension (as in birds of prey and Old
World vultures). Contrary to the usual rule among birds of prey, the female
is smaller than the male.<ref name="Ferguson-Lees"/>
California condors' skin on the neck varies in color, depending on the age of
the birds. During the breeding season, adult birds' skin color can be cream,
pink, yellow, or orange.<ref name="Ferguson-Lees"/> Most commonly, Andean tend
to utilize white or black skin tones, while the California condor leans
towards pink.
** Fossil record
Pleistocene fossils of both extinct and extant condor species have been
discovered across North America, from New York to Florida. These findings
indicate that California condors and their relatives had a much broader
historical range than their current distribution, extending from the western
coastline to the eastern seaboard before local extinctions reduced their
territory.
The fossil record also reveals connections to ancient South American
relatives. _Argentavis magnificens_, discovered in Argentina, represents one
of the most remarkable members of the condor lineage. _Argentavis
magnificens_ possessed a wingspan reaching up to 24 feet (7.3 meters), making
it potentially the largest flying bird in Earth's history.[8]
** Behavior
[Andean condor#Ecology and behavior] Sexual maturity and breeding behavior do
not appear in the condor until 5 or 6 years of age. Condors are monogamous
creatures and will mate for life. They may live for 50 years or more and the
world's oldest condor died at 100 in the Jardin d'Essai du Hamma in
Algiers.[9] Condors nest with one chick at a time, laying one egg every year
to year and a half. Due to their size, condors require lots of care and
nutrition very early on in their chick stage.<ref name=":1" />
These birds tend to be more social than other birds of prey. They often clump
in smaller groups and socialize and rest together. They will often revisit
the same locations for daily activities and seasonal roosts.
The young are covered with a grayish down until they are almost as large as
their parents. They can fly after six months but continue to roost and hunt
with their parents until age two, when they are displaced by a new clutch.
There is a well-developed social structure within large groups of condors; a
recent study showed the 'pecking order' is determined by age group and, within
age groups, by sex (which contradicts previous findings).[10][11]
The lack of a large sternum to anchor correspondingly large flight muscles
identifies it physiologically as a primary soarer. The birds flap their wings
on rising from the ground, but after attaining a moderate elevation, they seem
to sail on the air, transiting from one upstream to the next, often without
flapping their wings. One Andean condor was recorded maintaining such flight
for [106], for over five hours.[12] Because of their size, these birds tend to
rely on strong thermal currents to propel them higher into wind currents.[13]
Wild condors inhabit large territories, often traveling [250] a day in search
of carrion. With such a large wingspan these birds can sometimes get by with
one single wing flap over an hour.[14] They prefer large carcasses, such as
deer or cattle, which they spot by looking for other scavengers. However,
these rival species cannot rip through the tougher hides of these larger
animals with the efficiency of a larger condor. In the wild, they are
intermittent eaters, often going for a few days without eating, then gorging
themselves on several kilograms (pounds) at once, sometimes to the point of
being unable to lift off the ground.[date=March 2017]
** Habitat
Each condor inhabits a very different set of locations. The Andean condor
naturally resides in South America, particularly the Western coast. They
range along the entirety of the coast, but tend to live towards the Andes and
Patagonia mountain chains. California condors occupy a different global
location. As the name implies, these condors tend to live in California and
the Southwest United States. Occasionally, the California condor will take up
residence in Northwest Mexico. Both species tend to prefer high altitudes,
roughly 16,000 feet, for habitat creation. Most commonly these species will
reside on the caves or cliffsides of mountains at this altitude range.
Occasionally, California condors will also nest in large redwood tree
cavities.[15] Condors instinctively choose locations that naturally protect
their young from predators, like golden eagles, given the elevation and
isolation.
** Threats
Both species of condor have significant threats facing their livelihood. The
IUCN defines the Andean condor as a near-threatened species, while the
California condor is considered endangered despite recovery programs.[16]
Human threats are currently the more dire to both species. Andean condors
tend to be purposefully shot or poisoned because of prejudice or assumed
connections between condors and eating cattle. Another threat to Andean
condors is local belief in medicinal properties in the bones and organs of the
birds, leading to hunting.[17] Human threats are more indirect to California
condors: human use of lead in bullets and other items has resulted in lead
becoming an unintentional part of the condor diet, leading to a dramatic drop
in their population over the years. Currently, California has instated a
breeding program to aid in recovery, and all the current wild condors are from
a subset of twenty-two bred in captivity.[18] Such efforts have led to a rise
to much higher numbers for the birds. In South America similar programs have
begun for the Andean condor but their success is not as vital to maintain
population numbers.[19]
Condor feathers are used to make souvenir products for sale to tourists, but
their sale is illegal under Peruvian law.[20]
** Other
[Andean condor#Role in culture] The Moche people of ancient Peru worshiped
nature.[21] They emphasized animals and often depicted condors in their
art.[22] In Andean mythology, the Andean condor was representative of a sun
deity, and often was perceived as ruling part of the higher world. Even now
the bird continues to be considered a symbol of power and health. <ref
name=":3" />
** Gallery
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px"> File:California Condor.jpg|California
condor's head File:California condor over grand canyon.jpg|California condor
in flight over the Grand Canyon File:Condor GrandCanyon.JPG|Condor flying
alone in the Grand Canyon, Arizona File:Numbered condor.jpg|Numbered condor in
Grand Canyon, Arizona File:Condormuseolarco.jpg|Moche condor. 300 AD. Larco
Museum Collection Lima, Peru. </gallery>
** References
[Reflist]
** External links
[Gymnogyps californianus] [Vultur gryphus] [Gymnogyps californianus] [condor]
- BirdLife Species Factsheet Andean Condor (see http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3822&m=0)
- BirdLife Species Factsheet California Condor (see http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3821&m=0) [url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103064913/http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3821&m=0 ]
- California Condor Conservation (see http://www.cacondorconservation.org) [url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207172036/http://www.cacondorconservation.org/ ]
- Scientists Work to Repopulate Colombia's Skies with Condors (see http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-colombia-condors30-2009aug30-pictures,0,377184.photogallery) - slideshow by the _Los Angeles Times_
- Ventana Wildlife Society: Condor Recovery (see https://web.archive.org/web/20161019135151/http://www.ventanaws.org/species_condors/)
[Authority control]
Category:New World vultures Category:Cathartidae Category:Scavengers
Category:Bird common names Category:Extant Piacenzian first appearances