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Tag: California Condor

Condor sighting from Walhalla overlook

Ravens in parking lot North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

“No, that’s not a conder” I reply to a visitor, “that’s a Raven.”

Turkey vulture soaring over canyon Crazy Jug Point North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

“No, that’s not a condor, that’s a turkey vulture with black leading edge on the underwings and silvery secondary feathers.”

California condor above Wahalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

“Oh Yes, now That’s a condor. Note the white leading edge on the wings.”

California condor above Walhalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

As I finished the archeology talk at Walhalla overlook Saturday visitors spotted two California condors soaring overhead.

California condor above Walhalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I ran for my camera and tried to zoom in on them 100s of feet above.

California condor above Walhalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Even visitors with binoculars couldn’t read their numbers.

California condor above Walhalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

This is the first time this season I’ve seen condors in the park. What a glorious sight. Just another day for a Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park.

 

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments , , , 19 Comments

California Condors at Navajo Bridge

Navajo Bridge Hwy 67 Marble Canyon Arizona

On the way to Page last week we stopped at Navajo Bridge which crosses the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. Almost always a good place to see California condors.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Hwy 89A Marble Canyon Arizona

But don’t just look into the sky as they do tend to roost under the bridge on the girders.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Hwy 89A Marble Canyon Arizona

We got lucky and saw three condors, #70 a 19 year-old female…

California Condor 73 Navajo Bridge Hwy 89A Marble Canyon Arizona

…and #73 an 8 year-old male, plus one unknown in elusive flight.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Hwy 89A Marble Canyon Arizona

These two were both very good at trying to hide from the camera.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Hwy 89A Marbel Canyon Arizona

Visitors to the North Rim always ask where to see condors.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon Arizona

It is possible, but they are more often seen on the more crowded South Rim.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon Arizona

Condors are curious and like crowds, better chance of something dead to eat.

California Condor 70 Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon Arizona

During summer many condors hang out by Kolb Terrace Reservoir near Zion National Park and are seen soaring above the Angel’s Landing trail. (Probably looking for dead hikers as the trail is steep and difficult.)

Colorado River upstream from Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon Arizona 

Navajo Bridge also provides an excellent view of the Colorado River.

Arizona, Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area, National Parks and Monuments , , 19 Comments

Condor sighting on the North Rim

California Condor North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA7, a five-year old female California condor has been hanging around near the lodge and visitor center for two days, and draws a little crowd. We don’t see them often enough on the North Rim. They are more commonly seen on the South Rim because they’re attracted to crowds. Crowds of Turkey Vultures, Ravens, Coyotes, People, all the same to condors. The bigger the crowd the more likely there’s something dead to eat.
California Condor National Park Service archiveNPS archive
The California condor is the largest flying land bird in North America. Their wingspan can reach up to 9.5 feet (2.89 m) with bodies 3.5-4.5 feet long (1.06 m-1.37 m). They weigh about 18-23 pounds (8.16-10.43 kg) as they are mostly feathers and have hollow bones like all birds. Plus as they launch into flight they always poop to lighten the load.
California Condors snuggling National Park Service archiveThe Condor snuggle NPS archive
Condors can live up to 50 years and typically mate for life but not until they’re mature at 6-7 years old. They nest in shallow caves or rocky ledges and lay one egg that both parents tend for about two months. Both parents also raise and feed the chick by regurgitation for almost a year when the juvenile will finally take flight.
California Condor chick National Park Service archive
NPS archive
For thousands of years condors soared across most of North America. When settlers moved west in the mid-1800s they introduced livestock. Condors can’t kill, but they also don’t know the difference between dead deer or cattle. Unfortunately, the ranchers thought they killed the livestock so in turn shot condors. They put out poisoned carcasses to eliminate predators like wolves, coyotes and bears, and condors ate that also. The population continued to decline when farmers began using DDT on crops in the 1940s. Yet they most commonly die from lead poisoning from eating shot carcasses or gut piles.
California Condor National Park Service archive
NPS archive
During the 1970s a captive breeding program was recommended. But it didn’t happen until 1980 when only 19 birds remained in the wild. The captive breeding program expanded to five facilities and has been very successful. Currently there are 75 California condors flying over Arizona and 320 worldwide plus the possibility of a few new chicks born this year in the wild. They wear radio transmitter tags on a wing and biologists track their movements.
California Condor North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
A7
I always feel lucky when I get to see one of these magnificent birds.
Arizona 25 Comments

Lijit

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