Scientific Name: Gymnogyps californianus

Population low: 22 individuals in 1982

Current Population: 332 individuals 

Life span: Unknown, possibly up to 60 years.

Wingspan: Up to 9.5 feet (3 meters)

Weight: Averages 16-23 pounds

Body Length:  46 to 55 inches

Range:  Occurred historically from British Columbia south to northern Baja California and in other parts of the southwestern United States.

Maturity: Condors reach sexual maturity and attain adult plumage and coloration by 5-6 years of age. Breeding is likely between 6-8 years of age.

Reproduction: One egg every other year if nesting cycle is successful. Instead of having many young and gambling that a few will survive, the condor produces very few young and provides an extensive amount of parental care.  Average incubation period for a condor egg is about 56 days.

Nest Site:  Usually in a cave on a cliff or a crevice among boulders on a steep slope.

Young: Nestlings fledge (leave nest) full grown at six months of age, however, historically juvenile condors may be dependant on their parents for more that a year. Reintroduced condors are released on their own and must learn to forage and survive alone.

Sexes: There is no sexual dimorphism (observable difference in size or appearance) between males and females.

Feeding: Condors are strict scavengers. Unlike Turkey Vultures, condors do not have an exceptional sense of smell. They instead find their food visually, often by investigating the activity of ravens, coyotes, eagles, and other scavengers. Without the guidance of their parents, young inexperienced juvenile condors may also investigate the activity of humans. As young condors learn and mature this human directed curiosity diminishes.

Reasons for decline: The main reason for the decline of the condors was an unsustainable mortality rate of free-flying birds combined with a naturally low reproductive rate. Most deaths in recent years have been directly or indirectly related to human activity. Shootings, poisoning, lead poisoning, and collisions with power lines are considered the condors’ major threats.

Identification points to look for:  Numbered wing tags, white or mottled triangle under wing, no feathers on head, and head color black in juveniles or orange/pink in adults, not dark red as in Turkey Vultures.

If you should encounter a condor

• Please enjoy the birds from a distance. Do not approach or attempt to feed a condor. If a condor approaches you, or you observe anyone harassing or harming a condor, immediately notify:

  The Peregrine Fund - (928) 355-2270
  Arizona Game & Fish - (928) 774-5045
  BLM - (435) 688-3200
  National Park Service - (928) 638-7756
  
  

• Never shoot at or throw objects at a condor. The California Condor, hawks, eagles, vultures, and owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and the condor is also protected under Endangered Species Act. Under these acts it is illegal to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, or attempt to do any of these activities to a bird of prey.
   
• If you should observe a condor please report your sighting to The Peregrine Fund biologists at (520) 355-2270 or e-mail us at cparish@peregrinefund.org.  Helpful information would include date, time, location, number of birds observed, and wing tag numbers if possible.

Detailed information is available here on each of the condors that have been released in Arizona.