Andean Condor
NameAndean Condor
Common NameAndean Condor
Scientific NameVultur gryphus
FamilyCathartidae
Wingspan (cm)300
Length (cm)115
Weight (g)11500
Plumage DetailsAdults are predominantly black with a distinctive white ruff of downy feathers around the base of the neck. The greater coverts and secondary flight feathers are white, forming a broad white band on the upperwing, especially visible in flight. The head and neck are largely featherless and reddish-pink, changing color with the bird's emotional state. Males have a large, dark red comb (caruncle) on the crown and a wattle on the neck.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent, Andean Condors can produce hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds, particularly when competing for food or interacting at roosts.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatshigh-altitude grasslands, alpine areas, rocky cliffs, open country
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeAndes Mountains of South America, from Venezuela and Colombia south through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Identifying FeaturesMassive size, Black plumage with white secondary coverts and neck ruff, Bald, reddish head and neck, Male has a prominent comb and wattle, Soaring flight pattern
Description
The Andean Condor is one of the world's largest flying birds, renowned for its impressive wingspan and soaring flight. It is a scavenger, feeding primarily on carrion, and typically inhabits high-altitude mountainous regions.
