The California Condor

The California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus, has proved, at least in the short term, to be a story of conservation success. Briefly extinct in the wild, a reintroduction programme has once again ensured that the large bird can be seen in its American environment.

In the time that written records have existed, it would seem that the California Condor was never the most prolific of birds, with figures for between the World Wars numbering about seventy. With all birds counted existing within the borders of California. This figure then dropped to twenty two birds by 1981.

In 1987, as a last gasp measure, the remaining six wild California Condors were caught and placed into a captive breeding programme. The breeding programmes were a relative success and by the start of the twenty first century captive birds were reintroduced into the wild at specifically chosen release sites. The success has continued with new California Condors being born in the wild.

Statistics taken from 2009 and 2010 now suggest that there are now 170 California Condors in the wild and a further 150 in captivity.

Despite the success of the conservation programme, the California Condor remains classified as Critically Endangered. The biggest risk today is lead poisoning and whilst the condor is not hunted, lead shot used on other animals is being ingested.

California Condor in Flight - Brian Sims - CC-BY-2.0

To catch a glimpse of the California Condor then a trip to the open scrubland areas of California and Arizona will be necessary, only a small fragment of a range that once spread from Canada to Mexico. The open savannah areas offer cliffs and large trees as nesting sites, as well as offering up carcasses of mammals which make up the bird’s diet.

If the bird is observed then the California Condor is unmistakable. The scavengers are predominantly black in colour, with bald heads and necks. The colour of the neck region can vary from red to yellow and even light blue, with the birds having the ability to change colour depending upon their mood.

It is of course the size of the California Condor that of course distinguishes, it is after all one of the largest flying birds alive today. On average the bird will stand to a height of four foot, and will have a body length of up to four and half foot. The wingspan though can reach in excess of nine foot.

The large wingspan allows the California Condor to soar on up currents, and can reach heights of up to 15000ft. It is whilst soaring that the birds will catch sight of their next meal, the eyesight of the condor being exceptional.

The social nature of the bird also means that where one California Condor is spotted, several more are likely to be found in the same area.

California Condor Standing - Mark Lellouch - PD-US-NPS

The California Condors are long lived birds, and in ideal conditions, an average lifespan of sixty years can be achieved. This is one reason why the condors have fewer offspring than many other birds. The female California Condor will on average lay a single egg every couple of years.

The egg is normally laid in a nest situated in a cleft in rocks or within a cave, and during the eight weeks of incubation, both the male and female condor will take turns sitting on the egg. Once hatched, the young condor will stay with its parents for up to a year.

The California Condor is one of the most imposing of all birds. The size is impressive, as its ability to soar on air currents. Despite its low numbers, current conservation undertakings will hopefully ensure that the bird remains a fixture of the American skies.

Copyright - First Published 27th June 2011