Andean Condor
Vulture gryphus
WILD STATUS
Near Threatened.
DISTRIBUTION
West coast of South America in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, Chile and Peru.
SIZE
Height 1.2m (4’) tall.
Weight Male: 11-15kg (24-33 lbs), female: 8-11kg (18-24 lbs).
Wingspan 3-3.6m (10’-12’).
HABITAT
Open grasslands and alpine areas in the high mountainous region of the Western Andes Mountains. They fly to lowland deserts and coastline to forage. They are rarely seen in forested areas.
REPRODUCTION
One egg every 18 months. Incubation 54-58 days. Male helps sit on the egg. Female is not mature until she is 6 years old.
DIET
Carrion including marine mammals.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- These birds are monogamous, mating for life.
- Normal life expectancy is 50 years, with the oldest known being 72 years.
- The Andean Condor is the largest bird of prey.
- The wingspan of between 10-12 feet, is second only to a Giant Albatross.
- They have specialized “carnassial” beaks with high razor-sharp edges.
- They soar on motionless wings at 3000 –5000 metres (15,000 feet) for hours without flapping their wings.
- They have keen eyesight, eight times that of humans.
- The skin on the male’s head turns yellow when he is agitated or courting.
- The main threats to Andean Condors are human related. Illegal shooting, habitat loss and disturbance, poisoning from eating lead shot in carcasses and consumption of poison placed for mammalian predators are all contributing to their decline.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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