The Andean Condor

The Andean condor is the largest vulture and one of the world's biggest flying birds. It has a maximum wingspan of 10 feet, 10 inches and can weigh up to 33 pounds! Commonly known as the largest bird of prey, the Andean condor lives in the Andes mountains and the Pacific coasts of Western South America. 

The Andean condor is a black bird with white feathers arounds its neck and large white patches on its wings. Its head and neck do not have feathers and are a dull red color. This color can change if the bird is scared or excited. Male condors have a wattle on their necks and a red crown on their heads. Most female birds of prey are larger than males, but male Andean condors are actually larger than the females. 

The Andean condor eats all kinds of carrion, but prefers large carcasses such as deer or cattle. It also hunts small mammals and other birds. Flying at 20 miles per hour, it swoops down, folds its wings, and grabs the prey with its talons. 

The Andean condor has the longest lifespan of any bird, living up to 70 years! Andean condors build their nests very high - up to 16,000 feet - usually on mountain ledges that no predators can reach. They lay one to two eggs at a time. The Andean condor is considered vulnerable and is threatened by habitat loss and poisoning by lead found in carcasses killed by hunters. 

Cool Fact: The Andean condor is a national symbol of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the Andean regions. It is considered a symbol of power and health by many Andean cultures.