CALIFORNIA CONDOR Gymnogyps californianus (Shaw) 



Order: FALCONIFORMES Family: CATHARTIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : North American's largest soaring land bird. Weighs 20 

 to 25 pounds and has a wing spread of 9 to 94 feet. It has dark brown plumage with a 

 large white patch under each wing and a bare orange head in the adult. The young birds 

 have dark heads . There are light and dark phases of immature plumage the correlation 

 of which is not understood . 



Present distribution : Southern coast ranges from Santa Clara County south to the 

 Transverse Mountains and north in the Sierra Nevada foothills to Fresno County. There 

 may be a small population in Baja California (Wilbur) . 



Former distribution : In historical times, from the Columbia River in Oregon, south 

 to northern Baja California, east to southwest Utah and Arizona. Prehistoric remains 

 east to Texas . 



Status: Of special concern because of very small population and greatly restricted 

 breeding range . 



Estimated numbers : Annual survey reported minimum counts ranging from high of 53 

 birds in 1969 to a low of 28 in 1970. Total population estimated at 50 to 60. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Usually only one young every other year. If unsuccessful 

 one year renesting usually occurs the next year. One pair nested 4 successive years 

 (1966-69), producing one young each year. Approximately two young reach flying 

 stage each year . Only two nest sites were known to be used and only one produced 

 young in 1969. 



Reasons for decline : Disturbance by man, including habit modification and shooting. 

 Some have been killed after eating strychnine bait or strychnine poisoned animals. 

 Possible shortage of food near nesting sites during breeding period. 



Protective measures already taken : Taking and possession prohibited by Federal and 

 State law with penalties up to a year in jail or $1,000 fine or both. Use of poison prohibited 

 on Federal lands within the range of the condor. Two sanctuaries established by the U.S. 

 Forest Service to protect major nesting areas . Development of a condor management plan 

 for the Los Padres National Forest by a full-time condor biologist. An annual condor 

 survey conducted by the California Department of Fish and Game. Appointment of a condor 

 naturalist by the National Audubon Society. Five-year research study by the U.S. Fish 

 and Wildlife Service . Experiments with propagation of related South American condor are 

 in progress at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center near Laurel, Maryland. Refusal of 

 oil drilling rights in condor breeding area by Department of the Interior in 1971. Restricted 

 air traffic above condor sanctuaries . Firearms closures and protection of nest sites by 

 U.S. Forest Service in key condor areas under their control. California Department of 

 Fish and Game have developed operational management plan. 



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