Overview:-
- Andean condor is one of members of the vulture family. This large bird found in the Andes mountains and South American coasts. They grows up to a height of 1.2 meters and weigh up to 15 kilograms. The enormous, 10 feet wingspan also reflect Andean condor’s size. This large wingspan also aid to make flight with their massive body.
- Like other vultures, Andean condors feed on dead bodies of other animals. Both domestic and wild. Andean condors also found of having dead seals and fishes from coastlines. Sometimes they hunt for other bird’s nest for eggs. This endangered vulture member has a lifespan of 75 years.
These condors are mostly black, but males have a distinctive white “collar” around their necks and some white markings on their wings as well. Like their relatives, the California condors, Andean condors have bald heads.
Scavenging and Diet
- Condors are vultures, so they keep their sharp eyes peeled for the carrion that makes up most of their diet. They prefer to feast on large animals, wild or domestic, and in picking the carcasses, they perform an important function as a natural clean-up crew. Along the coasts, condors will feed on dead marine animals like seals or fish. These birds do not have sharp predator’s claws, but they will raid birds’ nests for eggs or even young hatchlings.
Breeding and Population
- These long-lived birds have survived over 75 years in captivity, but they reproduce slowly. A mating pair produces only a single offspring every other year, and both parents must care for their young for a full year.
- The Andean condor is considered threatened but is in far better shape than its California cousin. Reintroduction programs are working to grow populations of these South American birds.
