California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)
Justification The reintroduction and management of captive-bred birds is preventing the extinction of this species in the wild. There are currently no reproductive birds in the wild, which qualifies the species as Critical.
Identification 117-134 cm. Huge and unmistakable. Black with white wing-linings and silvery panel on upper secondaries. Head naked and orange/red. Immatures with black head and underwing mottled dark. Soars on horizontal wings with primaries curled up. Hints Only likely to be seen near reintroduction sites.
Range & Population Gymnogyps californianus declined rapidly throughout the 20th century and disappeared from outside California, USA, in 1937. It became extinct in the wild in 1987 when the last of the six wild individuals was captured to join a captive-breeding recovery programme involving 22 birds The population increased to 147 birds by December 1998, comprising 97 in captivity, 28 reintroduced in California at Lion Canyon in Los Padres Natural Forest and Castle Crags on the western border of San Luis Obispo County, and 22 released in northern Arizona at Vermillion Cliffs and Hurricane Cliffs,,
POPULATION ESTIMATE 43
Ecology The range includes rocky, open-country scrubland, coniferous forest and oak savanna. The species nested in cliff-cavities, rocky outcrops or large trees, and scavenged on the carcasses of large mammals. The released birds have not reached reproductive maturity and rely on food provided by the recovery programme. However, they are becoming increasingly independent in finding food and range up to 400 km from release sites.
Threats The drastic population decline throughout the 20th century is principally attributed to persecution and accidental lead ingestion from shot carcasses. Overall survival of released birds has been high, but there have been behavioural difficulties and collisions with powerlines. Single birds have been killed by ethylene glycol ingestion, a car and an eagle.
