The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) has an important ecological role as a scavenger. By quickening the decomposition rate of dead animals, thus diminishing the risk of disease associated with the slow rotting of cadavers. It also has evolutionarily importance due to its sense of smell, unique in its genus and unusual in the bird kingdom. It has a long lifespan, comparable to humans, with up to 50 years in the wild, and up to 80 years in captivity. It is around 142 cm tall and its wingspan can reach 330 cm. Its distribution range spreads through the Andean countries of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, from the north of Colombia to the extreme south of the Chilean and Argentine Patagonia. Since ancient times, the Andean condor has been an important part of the Andean mythology and traditions. For example, the Incas considered it the immortal representation of the Jananpacha: the upper world, sky, and future. Various threats face the Andean condor. As a bird with natural small populations, a wide distribution range and low reproductive rates, the viability of its populations are a true concern. Its sporadic attacks on livestock have contributed to its poor public image, and, as a consequence, there have been illegal carcass poisoning events. The practice of strapping the bird to bulls in bull-fights during the Yawar Fiesta, and climate change only exacerbate their already vulnerable situation.
10 facts about the Andean condor:
1. Its name in quechua is kuntur and the Incas believed it was immortal-- it represented the Jananpacha, the upper world of the sky and future. 2. The distance between the points of its spread wings (~3.3 meters) represents the largest wingspan of any terrestrial bird. 3. The Andean condor is part of four national shields, where it represents different values: Bolivia (boundaryless pursuit), Chile (strength), Colombia (liberty and order), and Ecuador (power, grandeur, and valeur). 4. This bird is monogamous and both parents incubate the egg. Its chicks stay with its parents up to 2 years before facing the world alone. 5. In certain seasons of the year (October in Peru), the Andean condor flies from the peaks of the Andes to the Pacific coast to eat sea lion carcasses and discarded placentas. 6. It’s one of the only predators that can break the hard guanaco skin with its beak alone. 7. Andean condors mature sexually late in life (a minimum of 5 years, with reports of the first chick at 11 years), and they only have one chick every 2-3 years. This makes them very vulnerable to threats due to low recovery rates. 8. They form part of the family Cathartidae, which comes from the Greek word kathartes meaning “he who cleans.” 9. Andean condors are thermal soarers, which means that they rise with the air current, helping them spot carcasses from great heights and descend upon them without wasting much energy. 10. The Andean condor displays sexual dimorphism-- this is when animals of the same species have different body forms based on biological sex. The male Andean condor has a white collar and a crest, while the female Andean condor does not. Characteristics of the Andean condor The Andean condor (Vultur Gryphus), Andean condor or simply condor, is one of the largest birds on the planet, with a wingspan exceeding 3 meters long. It is the national symbol of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. Their light wings allow them to fly hundreds of kilometers gliding and soar up to 7,000 meters thanks to the thermal currents they use when the sun heats the earth's surface. Because of its weight (15 kilograms) and despite its large wingspan, it needs some help to fly, so it prefers to live in areas with abundant air currents to glide without too much effort. It is characterized by a “scarf” of white feathers around its neck. Scavengers get dirtier than normal when eating, so this species has no feathers on its head. This makes it easier for them to keep clean after a meal. Condors are vultures, so they feed on carrion, doing a great job for the environment. By eating carcasses before they begin to decompose and rot, condors and vultures prevent diseases from multiplying and spreading. They locate their prey, but do not descend to eat immediately, instead circling over it or watching it from somewhere nearby until they finally get close.
Habitat of the Andean condor
The Andean condor lives in mountainous areas but also approaches the coast, where sea breezes abound. They also tend to be in deserts with thermal air currents. They often inhabit regions with vast open fields or grasslands, near the mountains and coasts of South America. They build their nests in cliffs or small caves.
The Andean condor in danger of extinction
The International Union for Conservation of Nature labels the Andean condor as a vulnerable species due to the decline of its populations due to habitat loss and poisoning caused by feeding on intoxicated animals or by the poisoned baits placed illegally by some hunters and ranchers. Another of the dangers to which this bird is exposed is the consumption of bullets. Often, they approach the animals shot by hunters and end up ingesting the lead bullets. Curiosities of the Andean condor Like other species of vultures and condors, Andean condors use a strange method to cool themselves. They poop in their own legs. The feces are liquid, and when they evaporate they cool the area. Researchers call this strange behavior “urohidrosis”. It is believed that the Andean condor in the wild can live up to 50 years. In fact, the species in captivity has reached 80 years, making them long-lived birds. Their reproduction rate is very low, normally laying one egg every two years. They are able to survive without food for up to 5 weeks, and when they have food, they can eat up to 5 kilograms of meat in one day. Not being hunters, Andean condors lack sharp claws, but their feet allow them to raid nests in search of eggs or chicks. They are quite social birds, and form monogamous pairs. They fall into our list of animals that are faithful to their mate. Outside the breeding season, huge flocks of condors sometimes congregate. Unlike vultures, which have an impeccable sense of smell, these condors rely heavily on sight to locate food. The Incas created a myth about the death of this species. They said that when the animal felt it had grown old and its strength waned, it would perch on the highest, most protruding peak in the mountains. There, it would gather its wings and legs and let itself fall to the bottom of the ravines. It was a symbolic death, since the condor returns to its nest, the mountains, where it is reborn to a new life. This condor is present in the folklore and art of several regions of South America. This is not a surprise, as these large birds are quite imposing and amazing. In the Andes, the natives associated this species with the sun deity, as a symbol of health and power. Threats to the Andean condor In its extensive range, the Andean condor faces multiple threats whose effects vary according to region or country.
The main threats to the Andean condor are directly or indirectly related to human activities. Farmers believe that the Andean condor represents a danger to their livestock. An analysis by Lambertucci (2007) identifies the following as the most significant threats to the Andean condor:
Intentional and unintentional poisoning resulting in the death of Andean condors after ingesting poisoned baits intended for livestock predators such as foxes and pumas. Approximately 72% of Andean condors admitted to a condor rehabilitation center in Chile were poisoned birds (Pavez and Estades 2016). Ingestion of lead ammunition by condors by consuming animals that have been shot but not recovered by hunters. Hunting of condors by local sport hunters who see this huge bird as a valuable trophy. Collisions with power lines in areas frequented by Andean condors. Although little understood, ingestion of carrion containing large quantities of pesticides such as DDT is a threat to the condor, particularly in the northern part of the species' range. Decrease in food available to the Andean condor. In areas where herds of large native mammals once grazed freely, they have now been exterminated, resulting in less carrion available for condors. This problem appears to have the greatest effects in the northern part of the condor's range.
Although wild herds of large mammals have declined throughout the Andes, they have been replaced by domestic animals, particularly in the central and southern parts of the Andes. Domestic animals produce as much carrion as wild herds of native mammals. Increased competition for food. As human populations expand, so does the dog population. Dogs not only consume dead animals but also keep native scavengers, including the Andean condor, away.
Increased geographic range and competition from black vultures. The black-crowned nightjar (Coragyps atratus) continues to expand its geographic range and is now found at higher altitudes in the Andes than usual. One possible reason for this expansion is climate change. Black-crowned grouse generally move in flocks and consume a substantial amount of carrion that was traditionally food for the Andean condor. Despite posing little threat, Andean condors often get caught in traps set for mammalian livestock predators such as pumas and foxes. Other threats whose effect on Andean condor populations are not well understood include:
The effects of drugs used on livestock consumed by Andean condors. Asia has lost more than 95% of the population of 3 vulture species as a result of vultures eating carrion from cattle treated with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. The effect of diclofenac and other veterinary drugs on the Andean condor is not known. The effect of increased human presence on Andean condor habitat. Roads, human activities, stray dogs and even sounds can prevent the Andean condor from feeding. It has been observed that when condors descend on a dead animal in the presence of human activities, they are constantly alert and spend less time feeding. The effect of mortality resulting from the use of Andean condors in traditional and cultural activities. In a four-year study on the use of 40 Andean condors used in traditional annual “Yahuar Fiesta” events, 8 birds died and 5 resulted in permanent injuries (Piana 2019). This means that 33% of the captured condors are permanently removed from the wild population.
