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Photo by Norman Williamson
Photo Copyright Norman Williamson
California Condor
Gymnogyps californianus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): SNA
- Reason: Historically this species occurred as an irregular visitor to Utah, being seen just twice. Individuals from a captive raised flock released in northern Arizona are occasionally seen, with some ranging as far north as Utah and Uintah counties. No roost sites or breeding areas are known for this flock in Utah.
External links
General information
The California condor, Gymnogyps californianus, is among the rarest birds in North America. Over the last century, populations declined (due to lead poisoning, cyanide poisoning, shooting, and DDT contamination) to the point that the few remaining birds were captured for captive breeding efforts in the 1980s. Since then, captive-reared birds have been released in California and northern Arizona. In Utah, sightings were historically rare, noted only twice by pioneers in the 1800s, but sightings of birds that were released in northern Arizona have been made almost statewide in the late 1990s.
California condors prefer mountainous country at low and moderate elevations, especially rocky and brushy areas near cliffs. Colonies roost in snags, tall open-branched trees, or cliffs, often near important foraging grounds. This condor eats carrion, usually feeding on large items such as dead sheep, cattle, and deer. Typically two to three pounds of meat are eaten per day. California condors may live for 45 years, and they need five to seven years to become sexually mature. Only one egg is laid every other year. The egg is laid on the floor of a cliff cavity or cave, or in a crevice among boulders on a steep slope. Egg laying occurs mainly in February or March, and incubation lasts eight weeks. Young fly at about five or six months, and may be partially dependent on parents for up to a year.
The California condor is Federally listed as endangered.
Phenology
Often leaves roost 3-5 hours after sunrise, commonly returns to roost 2-5 hours before sunset; may not fly at all on foggy or rainy days. (Palmer 1988).
Species range
Historical sightings of condors were reported from eastern Beaver County during the early 1870s and from western Iron County during the early 1930s (see Hayward et al. 1976). Following the introduction of the Arizona flock, individuals have been seen as far north as Uintah and Utah counties. No areas, however, are occupied regularly.
Migration
May forage 56 kilometers or more from roost or nest site (Koford 1953).Sometimes ranges over 200 km in a single day (Meretsky and Snyder 1992).Breeding pairs tend to forage most frequently within 70 km of nest, occasionally as far away as 180 km; nonbreeders forage more widely (Meretsky and Snyder 1992).
Habitat
No habitat information accompanied either of the two historical reports of this species in Utah, and the locality data are not sufficiently precise to allow habitat to be determined from known locations. Breeding sites and communal roost sites elsewhere are typically associated with remote, undisturbed cliffs and rock outcroppings.
Food habits
Carrion; feeds primarily on a variety of small, medium and large mammal carcasses, including those of weasels, kangaroo rats, sheep, cattle, deer, ground squirrels, horses, coyotes, rabbits, etc. (Collins et al. 2000; Terres 1980). Apparently very few birds and reptiles are scavenged (Collins et al. 2000). May eat 1-1.3 kg of meat/day (Terres 1980). Prefers fresh meat. Feeds on ground. Requires fairly open terrain for feeding (to facilitate take-offs and landings). Regularly locates food by presence of eagles and ravens (Matthews and Moseley 1990).
Ecology
Variably social.
Reproductive characteristics
Egg laying occurs mainly in February-March (sometimes through early May). Lays clutch of 1 egg every other year, sometimes in consecutive years. Incubation lasts 8 weeks, by both sexes. Young fly at about 5-6 months, may be partially dependent on parents for up to a year. Sexually mature in 5-7 years, may live 45 years.
Threats or limiting factors
Genetic problems arising from inbreeding, human persecution, lead poisoning from carcasses, and disturbance to roosts and nests are among the many factors that may preclude the establishment of a population in northern Arizona and, consequently, Utah.
References
- Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: a field guide to the natural history of North American birds. Simon and Shuster, Inc., New York. xxx + 785 pp.
- Baicich, P. J., and C. J. O. Harrison. 1997. A guide to the nests, eggs, and nestlings of North American Birds, Second Ed. Academic Press, San Diego. 347 pp.
