Length: 45-55 in Wingspan: 100-110 in Weight: 20-25 lbs
Very large vulture, size distinctive. Adult shows white underwing in flight and orange/pink head.
Range map by All About Birds
The California Condor population fell to just 22 birds in the 1980s. In a desperate final attempt to save the species, every wild bird was brought into the safety of captivity. Though still endangered, the world population is now over 440 birds, with nearly 300 living int he wild once more.
Lead ammunition continues to be the nemesis of the condor, ingested to toxic levels from bullet scraps in their carrion diet. Wild condors are frequently captured, tested for lead poisoning, and, if necessary, treated at institutions like the LA Zoo before being re-released.
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