Condor is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua kuntur.[1][2] They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
Condors are part of the family Cathartidae, which contains the New World vultures, whereas the 15 species of Old World vultures are in the family Accipitridae, which also includes hawks, eagles, and kites. The New World and Old World vultures evolved from different ancestors. They both are carrion-eaters and the two groups are similar in appearance due to convergent evolution.
The adult plumage is uniformly black, with the exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck which are meticulously kept clean by the bird. As an adaptation for hygiene, the condor's head and neck have few feathers, which exposes the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and solar ultraviolet light at high altitudes. The head is much flattened above. In the male it is crowned with a caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional state, which serves to communicate between individuals.[4]
The middle toe is greatly elongated, and the hinder one but slightly developed, while the talons of all the toes are comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are thus more adapted to walking as in their relatives the storks,and of little use as weapons or organs of prehension as in birds of prey and Old World vultures. The female, contrary to the usual rule among birds of prey, is smaller than the male.[4]
Fossils of both extinct and extant condor species from the Pleistocene era have been found in various parts of North America, including New York and Florida, leading scientists to hypothesize that California condors (as well as their ancestors and relatives) once lived on the west coast of North America as well as all the way to the eastern coast, until their eventual extinction/extirpation. Some scientists also have found that an ancient relative of the condor, Argentavis magnificens from South America, may have been the largest flying bird ever with a wingspan of 7 metres (23 ft).[8]
Sexual maturity and breeding behavior do not appear in the condor until 5 or 6 years of age. They may live for 50 years or more, and mate for life. The world's oldest condor died at 100 in the Jardin d'Essai du Hamma in Algiers.[9]
The young are covered with a grayish down until they are almost as large as their parents. They are able to fly after six months, but continue to roost and hunt with their parents until age two, when they are displaced by a new clutch. There is a well-developed social structure within large groups of condors; a recent study showed the 'pecking order' is determined by age group and, within age groups, by sex (which contradicts previous findings).[10][11]
The lack of a large sternum to anchor correspondingly large flight muscles identifies it physiologically as a primary soarer. The birds flap their wings on rising from the ground, but after attaining a moderate elevation they seem to sail on the air, transiting from one upstream to the next often without flapping their wings. One Andean condor was recording maintaining such flight for 171 kilometers (106 mi), for over five hours.[12]
Wild condors inhabit large territories, often traveling 250 km (160 mi) a day in search of carrion. They prefer large carcasses such as deer or cattle which they spot by looking for other scavengers, which cannot rip through the tougher hides of these larger animals with the efficiency of the larger condor. In the wild they are intermittent eaters, often going for a few days without eating, then gorging themselves on several kilograms (pounds) at once, sometimes to the point of being unable to lift off the ground.[citation needed]
Welcome to a live view of one of our California condor nests at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! Susil (male, wearing wing tag Blue 67) and Antiki (female, wearing no wing tag) are busy raising a chick that hatched on March 25, 2024. This is the fourth chick they have raised together. The chick will fledge, or leave the nest, when it is about 5 months old, so you should be able to view it through August 2024. Our camera can see infrared light, so you can watch them 24 hours a day. Enjoy!
On the advice of friends, we decided to stop at Tambo Condor last week. We were on our way to Laguna Mica, the large reservoir in the heart of the Antisana Reserve. I had often wondered about this restaurant with lodging as it lies less than a kilometer away from the viewing platform of the Antisanilla Reserve.
As we walked down the hill, birds flitted in the high grass and scrub on both sides of the trail. This was definitely territory ripe for birdwatching. In fact, Vladimir told us that most of his guests come for exactly that. In fact, he was back at the restaurant setting up a spotting scope in hopes of showing us a real treat when we returned.
We had passed to very small cabins on the way in and expected more of the same. To our surprise, we found a large home. We entered and walked into a rustic living room with fireplace and adjoining dining room. A small but sufficient kitchen sat at the back. Off the main living space there were two bedrooms with views out over the bluff to the river far below. The view was stunning as this is where the river backs up as it tries to push pass the ancient lava flow of Antisana. It has actually formed a long finger lake called Secas.
It looked like it could get cold as all the beds were covered with several blankets and most rooms had small portable heaters. These are not what I would call luxury accommodations. But they were much better than the Research Station at Bellavista and I enjoyed our stay there. I figured this place would do for a future trip.
Across the farmland and the river below, on a cliffside marked with condor guano, a turkey-sized ball of fluff sat on a ledge. Its father was feeding it. We could tell it was a male because of he sported a crest of pink flesh on his brow. Even at this distance, it was an amazing site to see.
As we took turns looking through the scope and talking to Vladimir about condors, birdwatching and more, I also kept my eye on the birds. I was thrilled to see several kinds of hummingbirds at the feeders. My favorite by far was the Black-tailed Trainbearer, a hummingbird with a striking long tail of two feathers. When he whips his tail just right, it sounds like crackling electricity. The Giant Hummingbird also made an appearance as did the Sparkling Violetear. Those we could also hear high in the tree tops, their distinctive calls permeating the morning air.
A Golden Grosbeak perched in the distance and a curious Yellow-breasted Brushfinch bopped about in the scrub next to the outdoor patio. Best of all were the fast-flying Black Flowerpiercers who danced along the long branches of trees before diving to the feeders to sip sugar water.
While this is a possible day trip, we do not recommend driving this road in the dark. Sunrise and sunset are approximately at 6:15 am and pm year round. Since you are likely to lose coverage on these roads, consider downloading an app like Map.Me to keep you on the right track.
Daily flights to Thailand: Condor is adding two new destinations to its flight schedule from September 2024. There will be four flights a week from Frankfurt to Bangkok and three flights a week to Phuket. With that the airline offers the only non-stop flight from Germany to Phuket and will also be the only German airline to fly directly to Bangkok from Frankfurt. In addition, the connection from Berlin to Dubai will be launched from October 2024. Travel with Condor can be booked with tour operators and travel agencies, and flight tickets are available at www.condor.com and by telephone.
An A330neo will be used for the flights to Thailand. On board the 2-liter aircraft, guests will enjoy the highest level of comfort in Business Class, pure relaxation in Premium Economy Class and a greater sense of space in Economy Class. Tickets can be booked from 349.99 euros per route.
With these two destinations, Condor is bringing holidaymakers back to Asia for the first time since the pandemic. Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, attracts travelers with its impressive architecture and lively street markets. The royal palace and the many temples are an invitation to marvel. The city is also a hub for round trips throughout Southeast Asia. Phuket attracts visitors with its beautiful beaches and relaxed island atmosphere. It also offers exciting water sports and a unique nightlife.
In addition to Thailand, the connection from Berlin to Dubai (DXB) will be launched from October 2024. Condor will then fly daily to the United Arab Emirates with an A320neo.Tickets can be booked from 249.99 euros each way. From Dubai, Condor offers connecting flights with its partner Emirates to many other destinations. As part of the partnership, Condor guests can collect Skywards miles on all flights.
Earlier this month, Sue and I went wandering around between Phoenix and Las Vegas, visiting family and enjoying the wild things of the Southwest. In our travels so far, nothing can hold a candle to the trip over the Colorado River, near Marble Canyon in northern Arizona.
Preparing to leave Phoenix for Vegas, we called Grand Canyon National Park to ask about the whereabouts of California condors along the route. (Grand Canyon's South Rim has a condor-viewing area all summer.) But the Park Service was less than encouraging, telling us we "might" see condors at Navajo Bridge, spanning the Colorado.
In spite of the chance we'd make the long trek for nothing, we decided to give it a go. It's a long way from Phoenix to Marble Canyon, so, by the time we reached the south end of the Navajo Bridge all we could say about the trip was it was mighty pretty country, but void of any exciting wildlife sightings.
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