California Condors in Grand Canyon National Park
Where to See the Largest Bird in North America
Sep 24, 2009
California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are the largest flying land birds in North America. They are endangered, but a conservation plan is reintroducing them into the wild, particularly in Grand Canyon National Park. The birds are hatched and raised in captivity, but these large members of the vulture family are released into the wild upon maturing, where they may be seen souring over the canyon, trying to catch wind of carrion.
California Condor Description
These birds are members of the vulture family, and they grow to be enormous. The body length of adult California condors averages over four feet, and their wingspan can reach nearly ten feet. Adult condors have orange or pink heads, and may be distinguished from turkey vultures from afar (in addition to their much larger size) by white patches under the wings of adults. These vultures feed on dead animals, and they are able to pick up the scent of carrion as they soar, much like other vultures. California condors are presently found only in Northern Arizona, California, Utah, and the Mexican state of Baja California Norte. The California condor, though tremendous, is dwarfed by another species of new world vulture which only lives in South America, the Andean condor.
Condors in the Grand Canyon
Although most of the condors in the park are introduced (meaning that they were bred in captivity), many of the birds have adapted well to life in the wild. One of the best places to see these birds is around the upstream part of the Colorado River in the park, near Lee's Ferry. The walls of the canyon are lower in this area, and condors may be seen flying from rim to rim. Grand Canyon Village, where the renowned lookout spots on the south rim are located, is also a great place to spot condors. They soar the upper parts of the canyon, and are often seen cruising the thermals.
California Condor Reintroduction in the Grand Canyon
Although California condors were once native to most of the American West, as well as parts of the Eastern United States, habitat loss has threatened these giant vultures, but conservation attempts are in action. There is a breeding program, and the young birds are fed and raised in captivity until they are capable of independent survival, at which point they are released into the wild. The birds that have been introduced into the park are marked with numbers, visible on their wings when perched. Some of the condors that were bread in captivity have become too dependent on humans, and are not truly wild, as these birds will hang around dumpsters and raid them when they are hungry, or approach people who are eating. These condors are put into a rehabilitation program, which tries to set them straight (teach them to be wild and independent). Most of the California condors in Grand Canyon National Park have taken to their old ways, and soar the upper parts of the canyon until they catch the scent of something to scavenge.
California condors are tremendous and majestic. Although they are still considered endangered, the ones living in Grand Canyon National Park are doing well, and the park is likely the best place to look for these birds on the planet. California condors are the largest birds in the Grand Canyon, and some of the largest in the world.
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