The Andean Condor
Vultur gryphus
- They weigh from 20 to 30 pounds
- Their wingspans have been known to reach 12 feet
- They are the largest flying land birds on Earth
- It lives to be approximately 40 years
- They live in small families, but at a kill, they will flock together
- The feet of Andean Condor end in scaly toes and are used for walking not grasping or killing
- It lives in Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela, and Peru
- They lay only one egg once every two years
- The Condors fossil records date back to 60 million years ago, the earliest condor was called Teratornis Incredibilis, which means "Unbelievable Bird Monster". It had a 16 to 17 foot wingspan. It's the worlds largest flying land bird ever
- They are an Endangered Species
Habitat-It lives in a tundra-like biome in the Andes Mountains
Feathers- Keep it insulated
Curved Beak- Enables it to grasp prey easier
Odd Thing On Head- We believe it makes male condors more intimidating
Fur on neck- Keeps it Warm
Large Wingspan- Allows It To Glide For Hundreds Of Miles
Big Feet- Made for running quickly, and tearing flesh
Flexible Neck- It can preen all of it's feathers
Bald Head and Neck- When disembowling prey, blood flows easily off and doesn't attract parasites
Eyesight- Andean Condor eyesight is much more inhanced than our own
Its diet consists mainly of carrion, but occasionally sick or young animals. It feeds on dead deer, squirrels, and rabbits. Its favorites are mice, and other small mammals. Other things it has been seen eating are fish, lizards, and insects. It normally rips its scavengee's tendons and arteries, and snaps them with a quick flick of the beak. Rarely, though, is it forced to find live prey. However, the Andean Condor is a good surviver. They can live without any food source for at least a week or two.
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