California Condor
SpeciesAbout
The California condor, Gymnogyps californianus, is one of the largest flying birds in the world, with a wingspan of up to 9.5 feet and weighing between 20 and 25 pounds. These birds are black with distinctive white patches under their wings and have bare heads and necks, which help keep them clean while feeding on carrion. California condors are scavengers, relying on dead animals for food, and can glide for hours without flapping their wings, covering long distances in search of carcasses. Historically, California condors were widespread across North America, but their population drastically declined due to habitat loss, hunting, and lead poisoning. By the late 1980s, only a few individuals remained in the wild. Thanks to a successful captive breeding program initiated in the 1980s, the species has been reintroduced to the wild, with populations now established in California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California. The conservation efforts have significantly increased the population from fewer than 30 birds in the wild to over 400 today, marking a notable recovery for this critically endangered species.
