ANDEAN CONDOR
The Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds on Earth, with a wingspan of up to 3.3 meters — surpassed only by the marabou stork (3.5 m) and the wandering albatross (also 3.5 m). It can weigh up to 14 kg and fly as far as 300 km in a single day, often gliding over 170 km without flapping its wings.
These magnificent birds can live over 50 years in the wild and up to 80 years in managed environments. They stand about 1.42 meters tall and are found along the Andes mountain range, from Colombia to the southernmost parts of Patagonia, including Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Diet
The condor feeds primarily on carrion found in mountainous regions and occasionally preys on small animals.
Reproduction
The female typically nests on high cliffs, laying one egg per season. The incubation period lasts about 58 days. The chick hatches covered in soft white feathers. When two chicks are born, usually only one survives.
A national symbol of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, the condor features prominently in these countries’ coats of arms and holds a significant place in the folklore of the Andean peoples. It is currently listed as vulnerable, with active conservation programs working to protect it. The Incas once revered this mighty bird as sacred.
Source: Terra Zoológico Galáctico
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