The condor of the Andes, national bird

colombian bird

El Condor of the Andes It is one of the most emblematic animals in South America. This majestic bird is loaded with symbolism and is considered a national bird in the following countries: Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia.

In addition, the condor is present in the shields of various provinces of these countries, as well as in the emblems of institutions such as the Peru Police, National Autonomous University of Mexico (A mole Universidad de Mendoza in Argentina.

The fascination of humans for this magnificent bird goes back a long way. For example, incas they believed that the condor was immortal. Other pre-Hispanic legends present the condor as a magical and wise animal that, as the moment of his death approached, he would fly to the top of a mountain, close his wings and let himself fall into the void to fulfill the cycle of life.

Both before and now, the Condor of the Andes is a symbol of power and intelligence. The Andean peoples considered them an animal bearer of good or bad luck, depending on the case. Some even believed that it was he who was in charge of "raising the sun" at the beginning of each day.

Characteristics of the Condor of the Andes

Description

El Vultur gryphus (such is the scientific name of the Condor of the Andes) is one of the largest flying birds in the world. The adult specimens are about 140 cm tall and their outstretched wings reach a length of almost three meters. They weigh between 12 and 15 kg.

It is distinguished by its bare reddish head topped by a crest in the case of males). Its beak is hooked and very sharp. It has black plumage, although around the neck it has a kind of collar of finer white feathers.

condor of lso Andes

Male specimen of Condor de los Andes, with the characteristic crest

Behavior

The condor is capable of flying at great heights, above 6.500 meters above sea level. For this reason it is perfectly adapted to life in the highest areas of the Andes. In fact, it is possible to find it throughout the western fringe of the South American continent as well as in the Patagonia region, south of Chile and Argentina.

This bird feeds mainly on carrion, although it can sometimes hunt small mammals. It usually nests in the hollows and cavities of the most inaccessible parts of the mountains.

Although they usually concentrate in groups to protect themselves from the wind and rain in the so-called "roosts", condors are solitary animals. They are monogamous and maintain the same partner throughout life. His reproductive cycle it is long (with an incubation period of almost two months) and the females lay only one egg.

An endangered species?

According to the estimates of Bird Life International, the world population of the Condor of the Andes is around 6.700 specimens. The largest colonies are found in northern Argentina, with about 300 adult individuals.

Main threats

The total number of these birds has been declining unstoppably from the XNUMXth century to the present day. The belief that Andean condors fed by hunting the smallest young of cows, sheep and other domestic animals is the cause of their indiscriminate hunting y poisoning by South American ranchers for decades.

Other reasons that have motivated this massive hunt are based on popular beliefs that they attribute therapeutic or magical powers to certain parts of the condor's anatomy.

Condor of the Andes

Condor in flight

On the other hand, the systematic destruction of the condor habitat has led this species to a situation of extreme vulnerability. For all this, the Condor de los Andes is today a Threatened species, especially in certain countries like Colombia.

Conservation projects

Currently there are various programs underway for the conservation of this species that work in the reintroduction into the wild of captive-bred condors. These projects have been carried out in recent years in Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia.

Also noteworthy is the Andean Condor Conservation Project (PCCA), organized by the Buenos Aires Zoo, the Temaikén Foundation and the Fundación Bioandina Argentina. The work of these organizations focuses on preserving the species and its environment in the Argentine province of Córdoba.


6 comments, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1.   fanny said

    I was looking for a condor to embroider but what would be in a more colorful landscape anyway, thank you very much for your contribution

  2.   Jorge Alejandro Paez Romero said

    Hi love

  3.   yajaira said

    it is orible

  4.   yajaira said

    it's disgusting

  5.   karolay said

    Well thank you very much because I found what I wanted

  6.   Maria said

    I thought this page was super, thank you very much