The Andean condor is a true giant of the sky. Native to the high mountains and coastal cliffs of South America, it has a wingspan of up to 10½ feet—that’s as wide as a sofa! These powerful birds are part of the vulture family and play a key role in the ecosystem by cleaning up what nature leaves behind.
Condors are scavengers, meaning they don’t hunt live animals. Instead, they use their incredible eyesight to find dead animals (called carrion) from miles away. By eating what other animals leave behind, they help prevent the spread of disease and keep the environment clean—nature’s cleanup crew!
Andean condors have black feathers with white patches on their wings, and adult males have a fluffy white ruff around their necks. Males also have a large fleshy crest (called a caruncle) on top of their heads, giving them a unique, dinosaur-like look.
These birds are built for soaring. They rarely flap their wings—instead, they ride warm air currents (called thermals) and can glide for hours without beating their wings once! This helps them cover long distances with very little effort.
Sadly, the Andean condor is considered Vulnerable due to habitat loss, poisoning, and slow reproduction—they only lay one egg every 1–2 years. Conservation programs in zoos are helping breed and protect these incredible birds.
