RANGE AND DISTRIBUTION
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ANDES, FROM VENEZUELA TO TIERRA DEL FUEGO, DESCENDING TO SEA LEVEL IN PERU AND CHILE. MOST OFTEN SEEN IN PERU, CHILE, AND ARGENTINA.
HABITAT
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Diet
- SCAVENGER THAT FEEDS ON CARRION OF LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED MAMMALS (GUANACOS, LIVESTOCK, MARINE MAMMALS ON THE COAST).
- SOME SMALLER FOOD ITEMS LIKE SHOREBIRD EGGS.
- GREGARIOUS DURING FORAGING AND FEEDING.
REPRODUCTION
- NEST (SCRAPE) IN SHALLOW CAVES ON CLIFF LEDGES.
- LAY 1 EGG – BOTH PARENTS INCUBATE EGG 56-62 DAYS.
- CHICK FULLY FEATHERED AND CAN FLY AT 6 MONTHS.
- BOTH PARENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PARENTAL CARE, WHICH CONTINUES FOR OVER 1 YEAR.
- SEXUALLY MATURE ONCE THEY ATTAIN ADULT PLUMAGE (5-8 YEARS OLD OR LATER), BUT CAN BE DELAYED.
- TYPICALLY BREEDS IN ALTERNATE YEARS DUE TO EXTENDED PARENTAL CARE OF OFFSPRING.
- CAN LAY A REPLACEMENT EGG 4-6 WEEKS AFTER LOSS OF FIRST EGG.
CHARACTERISTICS
- ONLY AMERICAN VULTURE TO SHOW SEXUAL DIMORPHISM.
- MALE HAS COMB/CARUNCLE, LARGE NECK WATTLE, AND YELLOW EYES.
- FEMALE LACKS COMB/WATTLE, AND HAS RED EYES.
- CARUNCLE, PLUMAGE, ETC. USED IN COURTSHIP DISPLAY.
- PLUMAGE BLACK WITH GRAYISH WHITE SECONDARY FEATHERS AND COVERTS.
- WHITE NECK RUFFLE ONLY APPEARS IN ADULTS.
- BARE SKIN ON HEAD.
- JUVENILE IS BROWN WITH DARK BARE SKIN – DEVELOPS ADULT PLUMAGE AFTER 5-8 YEARS.
- ADULT MALE 24-33 LB; ADULT FEMALE 17-24 LB.
- WINGSPAN UP TO 126 IN (10.5 FT) – LARGEST FLYING BIRD IN SOUTH AMERICA.
- BODY LENGTH 39-51 IN (3.25 -4.25 FT).
- LIVES UP TO 70 YEARS IN ZOOS, 50-60 YEARS IN WILD.
STATUS
- CITES I SINCE 1975.
- USFWS ENDANGERED SINCE 1970.
- IUCN NEAR THREATENED SINCE 2001.
- THREATENED OVER MOST OF RANGE – MOSTLY IN NORTHERN RANGE (VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA).
- RITUAL USE IN LOCAL CULTURES AND PERSECUTION DUE TO PERCEIVED THREAT TO LIVESTOCK.
- INCREASE IN HUMAN POPULATION HAS DECREASED CONDOR HABITAT AND PREY BASE.
- LOW REPRODUCTIVE RATE (REPRODUCE LATE IN LIFE AND EVERY OTHER YEAR) AND LONG LIFESPAN MAKES CONDORS VULNERABLE TO THREATS.
- HUMAN INTERVENTION NEEDED FOR POPULATION RECOVERY.
- VERY HARDY IN ZOOLOGICAL FACILITIES AND IS A SELF-SUSTAINING POPULATION.
- REINTRODUCTION IN COLUMBIA AND PREVIOUSLY
- VENEZUELA ARE SHOWING PROMISE AT RESTORING WILD POPULATIONS.
For more information, contact Chriss Kmiecik - Andean Condor SSP Education Liason: cdk@clevelandmetroparks.com
Andean Condor Care Manual
Care Manual
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
Officers
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Name
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Organization
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Position
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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SSP Program Leader
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Denver Zoo
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SSP Vice Program Leader
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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Studbook Program Leader
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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Veterinary
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San Diego Zoo
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Pathology
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
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Education Advisor
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Organizations
In 2012, the SSP began working with Asociacion Colobiana De Parques Zoologicos Y Arcuarios (ACOPAZOA) to assist them in establishing Andean condors in Colombian zoos that, in the future, would produce offspring for release into the wild.
