Animals Birds

Andean Condor

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Vultur gryphus

PROFILE:

This impressive vulture soars through the sky with a wingspan of up to 10 feet! Unfortunately, they face threats from farmers, pesticides, and their slow reproduction rate. The Andean condor does not reach sexual maturity until it is 7-11 years old. Both parents are active in raising the chick for up to two years, so they only hatch a chick every other year.

TYPE OF ANIMAL:

bird, falconiformes (diurnal birds of prey)

NATIVE TO:

western South America

IUCN CONSERVATION STATUS:

near threatened

DIET:

carnivore, primarily a scavenger

LIFESPAN:

wild - up to 30 years. Maximum longevity is 75 years.

SOCIAL STATUS:

pair bonded