California condor

Gymnogyps californianus

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a New World vulture and the largest North American land bird.

Family: New World vulture Order: Accipitriformes Conservation: Critically Endangered

About the California condor

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a New World vulture and the largest North American land bird. It became extinct in the wild in 1987 when all remaining wild individuals were captured, but has since been reintroduced to northern Arizona and southern Utah (including the Grand Canyon area and Zion National Park), the coastal mountains of California, and northern Baja California in Mexico. It is the only surviving member of the genus Gymnogyps, although four extinct members of the genus are also known. The species is listed by IUCN as critically endangered, and similarly considered Critically Imperiled by NatureServe. The plumage is black with patches of white on the underside of the wings; the head is largely bald, with skin color ranging from gray on young birds to yellow a

Fun Facts About California condor

Its 3.0 m (9.8 ft) wingspan is the widest of any North American bird, and its weight of up to 14 kg (31 lb) nearly equals that of the trumpeter swan, the heaviest among native North American bird species.
The plumage is black with patches of white on the underside of the wings; the head is largely bald, with skin color ranging from gray on young birds to yellow and bright orange on breeding adults.
Numbers rose through captive breeding, and beginning in 1991, condors were reintroduced into the wild.
It is the only surviving member of the genus Gymnogyps, although four extinct members of the genus are also known.
It is one of the world's longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 60 years.

Conservation Status

The California condor is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This species is at significant risk of extinction and requires active conservation efforts.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Accipitriformes
Family	New World vulture
Genus	Gymnogyps
Species	Gymnogyps californianus

Range & Habitat