The Whale Dreamer

DID YOU KNOW?
An adult Condor can display emotions through changing the color of its skin!

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STORY BEHIND THE NAME

The name Condor has its root in one of the Native American languages: the Quechua language word “cuntur” which became condor. The word was originally meant for the South American Andean condor, a different species than the California condor. It is known as the “thunderbird” in Native American culture. Legend has it that the California condor could transfer special powers to humans. For example, making a cloak from its feathers gave the person wearing it the ability to find lost valuables.

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An adult California condor is known for its key identifying features- its naked head that has an orange/reddish color and its unmistakably huge size. Unlike birds of prey such as eagles, condors are scavengers and rely on dead and decaying animals since they lack the strong talons needed to attack living ones. They can be found in the United States and Mexico.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT STATUS:
The species is currently listed as critically endangered.

 

CHALLENGES:

A major threat to its survival is lead poisoning through accidental ingestion of lead from spent ammunition. There was a time in 1982, where its population was so low (only 22 remained!) that they were taken into captive breeding to prevent complete extinction. This led to their temporary extinction in the wild, however reintroduction efforts have been succesful for these captive bred birds.

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While the California Condor historically ranged from British Columbia (Canada) to Baja California (Mexico), they are currently found only in areas of California, Utah, Arizona and Baja Mexico - which is where these birds have been released. The good news is that even with only a few hundred individuals in the wild, the IUCN reports that its population is on the rise.  

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