California Condor
Image: Chuck Szmurlo (CC BY 3.0)
NameCalifornia Condor
Common NameCalifornia Condor
Scientific NameGymnogyps californianus
FamilyCathartidae
Wingspan (cm)280
Length (cm)120
Weight (g)9000
Plumage DetailsAdult plumage is predominantly glossy black, with a prominent triangular patch of white on the underside of the wings, visible in flight. The head and neck are largely featherless, exhibiting a striking coloration of yellow, orange, and reddish hues, often with some purple or pink mottling. A ruff of spiky black feathers encircles the base of the neck.
Vocalization / CallCalifornia Condors are generally silent, lacking a syrinx. They communicate primarily through body language but can produce hisses, grunts, and snorts, especially when agitated or competing for food.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsmountainous regions, canyons, open grasslands, oak woodlands
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeHistorically, California Condors ranged across much of western North America. Today, they are found in reintroduced populations in central and southern California, northern Arizona, southern Utah, and Baja California, Mexico.
Identifying Featuresextremely large size (largest North American land bird), bald, colorful head (yellow, orange, red), black body plumage with white underwing patches (visible in flight), large, pale hooked beak, distinctive soaring flight pattern with wingtips splayed
Description
The California Condor is a majestic and critically endangered New World vulture, known for its immense size and powerful soaring flight. It features mostly black plumage with a distinctive bald head and neck that display vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red, varying with age and emotional state.
