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The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest bird in North America, and once dominated the western skies. Sadly, the species declined throughout much of the 20th century until only drastic measures could save it from extinction.
The spectacular but endangered California Condor is the largest bird in North America, with wings spanning an amazing nine and half feet. It is black in color with white underwing patches and sports a bald head with very few feathers. The color of the head varies from white to reddish purple. The bare head is an adaptation for hygiene since they eat dead and rotting meat and must, for the most part, stick their heads into the carcasses to feed. As unappetizing as this may seem to us, scavengers like condors are vital to the natural ecosystem. They are nature’s cleaning crew. These superb gliders travel widely to feed on carcasses of deer, pigs, cattle, sea lions, whales, and other animals. Pairs nest in caves high on cliff faces.
The California condor population steadily declined during the 20th century until there were only 22 known to exist in the world. The last of the free-flying condors were taken into captivity in 1987 in order to save the species from extinction. There were no California condors in the wild between 1988 and 1991, but reintroduction efforts began in early 1992 and continue today. As of May 2013, there are approximately 435 California condors in the world, about 237 of which are free-flying in California, Arizona and Baja California, Mexico. Lead poisoning remains a severe threat to their long-term prospects.
For more information about the California Condor visit:
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Condor/id