Andean Condor
| Andean Condor | ||||||||||||||
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| Vultur gryphus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus, is a vulture-like species of bird. It is in many regards the largest flying land bird in the Western Hemisphere and is the heaviest (but not the longest) member of its order Ciconiiformes if it indeed belongs there.
This condor inhabits the Andes mountains. Although it is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, this species belongs to the New World vulture family Cathartidae, not closely related to Old World vultures.
Taxonomy
The Andean Condor was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae as Vultur gryphus.[1] Sometimes the Andean Condor is called the Argentinean Condor, Bolivian Condor, Chilean Condor, Colombian Condor, Ecuadorian Condor, or Peruvian Condor after one of the nations to which it is native. The generic term Vultur is directly taken from the Latin vultur or voltur "vulture", a word originally used in the works of Livy and Virgil.[2] Its specific epithet is derived from the Greek word gryp(h)os/γρυπος "hook-nosed".[3]
The New World vultures were initially believed to be close to their Old World counterparts, which are in the family Accipitridae along with hawks, eagles and kites. Towards the late 20th century, namely by the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy[4], the New World vultures have been more often allied with storks. Still, their actual relationships are far from definitely resolved and they are sometimes considered an order of their own, Cathartiformes.[5]
The Andean Condor is the only accepted living or extinct species of its genus Vultur. Unlike the California Condor, which is known from extensive fossil remains and some additional ones of congeners, the fossil record of the Andean Condor recovered to date is scant. Some prehistoric genera of New World vultures seem to be closely related to Vultur; the Argentine Early to Middle Pliocene Dryornis pampeanus may actually belong into this genus[citation needed]. Presumed Plio-/Pleistocene species of South American condors were later recognized to be not different from the present species, although one known only from a few rather small bones found in a Pliocene deposit of Tarija Department, Bolivia, may have been a smaller palaeosubspecies, V. gryphus patruus[6].
Description
Although about 5 cm shorter (beak to tail) on average than the California Condor, the Andean Condor is undoubtedly larger in wingspan: 108-122 in (274-310 cm). It is also heavier: up to 24-33 lb (11-15 kg) for males and 16-24 lb (7.5-11 kg) for females. Overall length can range from 46 to 53 inches (117 to 135 cm). Measurements are usually taken from specimens reared in captivity.[7]
The adult plumage is of a uniform black, with the exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large patches or bands of white on the wings which do not appear until the completion of the first moulting. As an adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have few feathers, exposing the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and ultraviolet light at high altitudes, and are meticulously kept clean by the bird. The head is much flattened above. In the male it is crowned with a dark red caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional state, which serves to communicate between individuals. Juveniles have greyish-brown general colouration, blackish head and neck skin, and a brown ruff.
The middle toe is greatly elongated, and the hinder one but slightly developed, while the talons of all the toes are comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are thus more adapted to walking as in their relatives the storks, and of little use as weapons or organs of prehension as in birds of prey and Old World vultures. The female, contrary to the usual rule among birds of prey, is smaller than the male.
Ecology and Behaviour
Sexual maturity and breeding behavior do not appear in the condor until 5 or 6 years of age. They may live for 50 years or more, and mate for life. The Andean condor prefers roosting and breeding at elevations of 10,000-16,000 ft (3,000 to 5,000 m). There, on inaccessible ledges of rock, its nest consisting merely of a few sticks placed around the eggs, it deposits one or two bluish-white eggs, weighing about 10 ounces (280 g) and from 3 to 4 inches (75 to 100 mm) in length, during the months of February and March every second year. The egg hatches after 54-58 days of incubation by both parents. If the chick or egg is lost or removed, another egg is laid to take its place. Researchers and breeders take advantage of this behavior to double the reproductive rate by taking the first egg away for hand-rearing, causing the parents to lay a second egg which they are generally allowed to raise.
The young are covered with a grayish down until almost as large as their parents. They are able to fly after six months, but continue to roost and hunt with their parents until age two, when they are displaced by a new clutch[8]. There is a well developed social structure within large groups of condors, with competition to determine a 'pecking order' by body language, competitive play behavior, and a wide variety of vocalizations.
On wing the movements of the condor, as it wheels in majestic circles, are remarkably graceful. The lack of a large sternum to anchor correspondingly large flight muscles identifies them physiologically as primarily soarers. The birds flap their wings on rising from the ground, but after attaining a moderate elevation they seem to sail on the air. Charles Darwin commented on having watched them for half an hour without once observing a flap of their wings. They prefer to roost on high places from where they can launch without major wing-flapping effort. Often, these birds are seen soaring near rock cliffs, using the heat thermals to aid them with rising in the air.
Wild condors inhabit large territories, often traveling 250 km (150 miles) a day in search of carrion. They prefer large carcasses such as deer or cattle which they spot by looking for other scavengers, who cannot rip through the tougher hides of these larger animals with the efficiency of the larger condor. In the wild they are intermittent eaters, often going for a few days without eating, then gorging themselves on several pounds at once, sometimes to the point of being unable to lift off the ground.
Relationship with Humans
The Andean Condor is a national symbol of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the South American Andean regions, similar to the role the Bald Eagle plays in North America. Its curious appearance has long brought it to the attention of people elsewhere, making it a readily recognized bird.
One of best known Peruvian songs is El Cóndor Pasa (The condor passes), composed by Peruvian musician Daniel Alomía Robles. The melody attained world fame years later, in Simon & Garfunkel's "If I Could." Colca Canyon in Peru is a notable location where tourists come to see the great Andean Condor flying freely in its natural habitat.
The eponymous hero of the Chilean comic book series Condorito ("Little Condor") is an anthropomorphic Andean condor. Condorito typifies a streetwise small-town slacker from the Andean provinces of Chile.
The Andean Condor is becoming more common in bird shows, and these large birds can prove very powerful and aggressive, so a well-trained Andean Condor appearing free in a public show is an impressive feat.
Heraldry
The Andean Condor is featured in several Coat of arms of Andean countries as a symbol of Andes mountains.
Footnotes
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Vultur gryphus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 23 September 2007.
- Cisneros-Heredia, Diego F. (2006): Notes on breeding, behaviour and distribution of some birds in Ecuador. Bull. B.O.C. 126(2): 153-164.
- Ericson, Per G. P.; Anderson, Cajsa L.; Britton, Tom; Elżanowski, Andrzej; Johansson, Ulf S.; Kallersjö, Mari; Ohlson, Jan I.; Parsons, Thomas J.; Zuccon, Dario & Mayr, Gerald (2006): Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils. Biology Letters, in press. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523 PDF preprint Electronic Supplementary Material
- Ferguson-Lees, James & Christie, David A. (2001): Raptors of the World. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. ISBN 0-618-12762-3
- Fisher, Harvey L. (1944): The skulls of the Cathartid vultures. Condor 46(6): 272-296. PDF fulltext
- Sibley, Charles Gald & Ahlquist, Jon Edward ([1991]): Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. ISBN 0-300-04085-7
- Sibley, Charles Gald & Monroe, Burt L. Jr. (1990): Distribution and taxonomy of the birds of the world: A Study in Molecular Evolution. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. ISBN 0-300-04969-2
- South American Classification Committee (SACC) (2007): A classification of the bird species of South America. Version 2007-SEP-21. Accessed 2007-SEP-23.
External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
- Video of Peruvian Condors
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- IUCN Red List
- Proyecto Conservación Cóndor Andino de Argentina, Organizado por la Fundación Bioandina Argentina.
- Andean Condor
Video footage of Peruvian Condors in flight can be seen at:
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National symbols of Colombia |
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National Anthem · Flag · Coat of Arms · Sombrero Vueltiao · Andean Condor · Carriel · Poporo Quimbaya · Wax Palm · May flower Orchid · Chiva Bus |
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