Andean Condor

It is the largest flying land bird in the Western hemisphere, with a wingspan of between nine and ten feet. Andean Condor hovered dangerously close to extinction. The species is still endangered by hunting, poisoning, and loss of habitat.

It has a body length of 43 - 51 inches and an 11-foot wingspan. The female weighs seventeen and half to 24 pounds while the larger male weighs 24 - 33 pounds.

Considered as large black vulture with ruff white feathers nearby the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large white patches can be seen on the wings. Their head and neck are nearly featherless, and in dull red color, which may change their color in response to the bird's emotional state. In male, there is a wattle on the neck and a large, dark red comb or caruncle on the crown of the head.

They use to have mainly carrion from large and medium-sized mammals where they cover great distances while soaring in search of food.

Condors usually mature very slowly; they use to live for up to 50 years

Reproduce very rarely, making wild populations very vulnerable. The loss of a few individuals of breeding age could destroy the long-term reproductive potential of a population of Andean Condors. They normally use to lay a single egg that will be incubated for about 59 days. Young birds learn to fly within 6 months of age. Young birds become physically matured at the age of 6 or more.