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The California Condor Essay

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In 1986, it was realized that drastic measures would be needed if humans were going to save the California condor form extinction. With only three males remaining in the wild and 22 others left in captivity, an aggressive approach was necessary to save these majestic birds. Standing at nearly 5 feet tall, weighing up to 31 lbs and with a wingspan of up to 10 feet, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is one of the largest flying birds in Northern America. Surpassed only in weight and wingspan by the Trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator ) and Mute (Cygnus olor ) Swan. The California condor has an average life span of 60 years, with some documented ones surpassing 80 years; it is also one of the longest living birds. Recognized by its …show more content…

Habitat and Behavior The California condor lives in rocky scrubland, forested regions, mountains, canyons and gorges. “The species’ current range includes California’s southern coastal ranges from Big Sur to Ventura County, east through the Transverse Range and the southern Sierra Nevada, with other populations in northern Baja California and in the Grand Canyon ecoregion in Arizona.” (Defenders of Wildlife, 2013) The California condor uses its keen sight in search of large carcasses, such as deer or cattle, although they have been known to eat the carcasses of smaller animals like rodents and rabbits for food, when necessary. Due to their eating habits and having to reach into dead carcasses for their food, they have adapted to having featherless (Bald) heads as a way to prevent food from sticking to it and defend against bacteria or germs from growing. “Condors catch thermal air currents that rise up as the sun heats the ground, and with those huge wings they can stay aloft for hours, soaring through the skies as they scan the fields below. They can reach flying speeds of up to 55 miles per hour (88 kilometers per hour), and they can fly to altitudes of 15,000 feet (4,600 meters).” (San Diego Zoo, 2014) Through adaptive radiation, G. californianus also have a very poor sense of smell, which

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