Andean condor

Andean condor

The plumage of the Andean condor is glossy black overall, while the wing tips and wing coverts are white. The white, fluffy ruff surrounding the neck of the bird of prey is striking. In contrast to all other New World vultures, the Andean condor is the only one to exhibit sexual dimorphism. This means that males and females of the same species look different. The males are usually larger and significantly heavier. In addition, unlike the females, they have a wrinkled wattle and a fleshy crest on the forehead that can be raised.

Nutrition

Like all vultures, the Andean condor is primarily a scavenger. In the interior, it feeds mainly on llama, alpacca and deer carcasses. Near human dwellings, it also feeds on dead farm animals such as cows, goats or horses. However, the Andean condor is also able to hunt and kill small vertebrates such as rodents and birds.

Distribution

As its name suggests, the Andean condor's habitat is the high mountains of the Andes up to an altitude of around 5000 metres above sea level. Here it prefers open grasslands without trees, which make it easier for it to see possible food. In Chile and Peru, however, it can also be found in lowlands, deserts and on beaches. Here it goes in search of dead whales, seals and seabirds, because like all vultures, the Andean condor is primarily a scavenger. Inland, it feeds mainly on llama, alpacca and deer carcasses. Near human dwellings, it also feeds on dead farm animals such as cows, goats or horses. The Andean condor is also capable of hunting and killing small vertebrates such as rodents and birds if necessary.

The breeding season of the Andean condor is between February and October, depending on the area of origin. A small cave or hollow on cliffs and steep slopes, lined with a few twigs, serves as a nest. The female usually only lays one egg in it. Only if this is destroyed or lost does she lay a second one to replace the first. The young need about 60 days to hatch and a full 6 months to fledge. Both parents take equal responsibility for breeding and feeding. Even after fledging, the parents continue to look after the young for some time, so that a reproduction cycle lasts over a year. This also means that Andean condors only have offspring every 2 years, which can only be compensated for by a very long lifespan. It has been proven that Andean condors can live for over 70 years, making them the birds with the longest lifespan in the world, apart from a few parrot species.

However, this strategy is also one reason why the Andean condor is classified as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Due to its low number of offspring and long lifespan, it is particularly susceptible to human disturbance. It is threatened by hunting, displacement from its habitat and, above all, poisoning. This is usually caused by lead pellets used by hunters when hunting wild animals. The Andean condors eat the carcasses and poison themselves as a result. In Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, there are estimated to be fewer than 1000 animals left. Fortunately, Andean condors are still somewhat more common in the south. Various breeding programmes are currently attempting to continuously increase the population of this majestic bird.