Difference between revisions of "California Condor"

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==Life History==
 
==Life History==
  
The California Condor (''Gymnogyps californianus'')(CC) is the largest of the North American vultures and also the largest soaring land bird of the continent<ref name="Finkelstein">Finkelstein M, Kuspa Z, Snyder NF, Schmitt NJ. California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Birds of the World. 2020 Mar 4 [accessed 2021 Feb 28]. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/calcon/cur/introduction</ref>.
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The California Condor (''Gymnogyps californianus'')(CC) is the largest of the North American vultures and also the largest soaring land bird of the continent<ref name="Finkelstein">Finkelstein M, Kuspa Z, Snyder NF, Schmitt NJ. California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Birds of the World. 2020 Mar 4 [accessed 2021 Feb 28]. https://birdsoftheworld.org</ref>. CC are thought to live up to 60 or 70 yrs. Like many other long lived species, the CC reaches sexual maturity later in life. Age of first successful breeding is thought to be between 6-8 yrs, with some 5 yr females laying infertile eggs in captivity<ref name="Finkelstein"/>. Young condors usually stay in their natal home range for a year after they fledge and are dependent on their parents during this time. Home ranges include mountainous areas that serve as roosting and nesting sites, as well as lower elevation foothills that serve as foraging grounds. Young adult and immature condors that are nonbreeding tend to be more transient, not staying within a defined home range.   
  
 
== Habitat ==
 
== Habitat ==

Revision as of 14:52, 2 March 2021

A species summary by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Cathartiformes
Family Cathartidae
Genus Gymnogyps
Species G. californianus

Life History

The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)(CC) is the largest of the North American vultures and also the largest soaring land bird of the continent[1]. CC are thought to live up to 60 or 70 yrs. Like many other long lived species, the CC reaches sexual maturity later in life. Age of first successful breeding is thought to be between 6-8 yrs, with some 5 yr females laying infertile eggs in captivity[1]. Young condors usually stay in their natal home range for a year after they fledge and are dependent on their parents during this time. Home ranges include mountainous areas that serve as roosting and nesting sites, as well as lower elevation foothills that serve as foraging grounds. Young adult and immature condors that are nonbreeding tend to be more transient, not staying within a defined home range.

Habitat

Historical range

Historical records and remains indicate that the CC was once found across the United States, as well as southern Canada and northern Mexico.[1]. By the mid-20th century the CC was largely confined to southern California. However, due to conservation efforts the CC is now found in the Big Sur Region and once again in Arizona, Mexico, and southern Utah.

Nesting

Unlike its .

Conservation

Conservation effort

The California Condor is under the critically endangered status. In 1987 there were only 27 Condors in the world. A captive breeding program, launched in 1980, had amazing success, allowing the reintroduction in 1992. By the end of the decade, there were 161 condors in the world. As of 2021, there are 518 California Condors in the wild but are still on the critically endangered species list.

California banned the use of lead ammunition in 2013, one of the leading threats to the California Condor.

Conservation groups

the Conservancy for the Range of the Condor is seeking to establish the Range of the Condor National Heritage Area.

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Finkelstein M, Kuspa Z, Snyder NF, Schmitt NJ. California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Birds of the World. 2020 Mar 4 [accessed 2021 Feb 28]. https://birdsoftheworld.org

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.