Andean Condor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Andean Condor
Image:Kondor 2.JPG
Conservation status
Image:Status iucn3.1 NT.svg Near Threatened (IUCN) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Incertae sedis (disputed) Family: Cathartidae Genus: Vultur Lesson, 1842 Species: V. gryphus
Binomial name
Vultur gryphus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Image:AndeanMap.png Approximate range/distribution map of the Andean Condor. Yellow indicates presence.
Synonyms
Vultur fossilis Moreno & Mercerat, 1891 Vultur patruus Lönnberg, 1902 Vultur pratruus Emslie, 1988 (lapsus)

The Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus, is a member of the New World vulture family Cathartidae and the only member of the genus Vultur It is found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America and is the largest flying land bird in the Western Hemisphere. The Andean Condor is a national symbol of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the South American Andean regions.

Its plumage is black with white feathers surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large white patches on the wings. Unlike most birds of prey, the male is larger than the female.

The condor is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion. It prefers large carcasses, like those of deer or cattle. It reaches sexual maturity at five or six years old and roosts at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 meters (10,000-16,000 ft), generally on inaccessible rock ledges. One or two eggs are usually laid.

Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Ecology and behaviour 4.1 Diet 4.2 Reproduction 5 Relationship with Humans 5.1 Heraldry 6 Footnotes 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Taxonomy

The Andean Condor was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae as Vultur gryphus.^[2] Sometimes the Andean Condor is called the Argentinean Condor, Bolivian Condor, Chilean Condor, Colombian Condor, Ecuadorian Condor, or Peruvian Condor after one of the nations to which it is native. The generic term Vultur is directly taken from the Latin vultur or voltur "vulture", a word originally used in the works of Livy and Virgil.^[3] Its specific epithet is derived from the Greek word gryp(h)os/γρυπος "hook-nosed".^[4]

The exact taxonomic placement of the Andean Condor and the remaining six species of New World Vultures remains unclear.^[5] Though both are similar in appearance and have similar ecological roles, the New World and Old World Vultures evolved from different ancestors in different parts of the world, and are not closely related. Just how different the two are is currently under debate, with some earlier authorities suggesting that the New World vultures are more closely related to storks.^[6] More recent authorities maintain their overall position in the order Falconiformes along with the Old World Vultures^[7] or place them in their own order, Cathartiformes.^[8] The South American Classification Committee has removed the New World Vultures from Ciconiiformes and instead placed them in Incertae sedis, but notes that a move to Falconiformes or Cathartiformes is possible.^[5]

The Andean Condor is the only accepted living or extinct species of its genus Vultur. Unlike the California Condor, which is known from extensive fossil remains and some additional ones of congeners, the fossil record of the Andean Condor recovered to date is scant. Some prehistoric genera of New World vultures seem to be closely related to Vultur; the Argentine Early to Middle Pliocene Dryornis pampeanus may actually belong to this genus^{[citation needed]}. Presumed Plio-/Pleistocene species of South American condors were later recognized to be not different from the present species, although one known only from a few rather small bones found in a Pliocene deposit of Tarija Department, Bolivia, may have been a smaller palaeosubspecies, V. gryphus patruus.^[9]

[edit] Description

Although it is about 5 cm shorter (beak to tail) on average than the California Condor, the Andean Condor is undoubtedly larger in wingspan: 274-310 cm (108-12  in or 9-10 ft). It is also heavier: up to 11-15 kg (24-33 lb) for males and 7.5-11 kg (16-24 lb) for females. Overall length can range from 117 to 135 cm (46 to 53 in). Measurements are usually taken from specimens reared in captivity.^[10]

The adult plumage is of a uniform black, with the exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large patches or bands of white on the wings which do not appear until the completion of the first moulting.^[11] As an adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have few feathers, exposing the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and ultraviolet light at high altitudes,^[12] and are meticulously kept clean by the bird. The head is much flattened above. In the male, the head is crowned with a dark red caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male lies in folds, forming a wattle.^[11] The skin of the head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional state, which serves to communicate between individuals. Juveniles have greyish-brown general colouration, blackish head and neck skin, and a brown ruff.^[13]

The middle toe is greatly elongated, and the hind one is only slightly developed, while the talons of all the toes are comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are thus more adapted to walking and of little use as weapons or organs of prehension as in birds of prey and Old World vultures. The female, contrary to the usual rule among birds of prey, is smaller than the male.

[edit] Distribution and habitat

The Andean Condor is found in South America in the Andes. In the north, its range begins in Venezuela and Colombia, where it is extremely rare,^[14] then continues south along the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, through Bolivia and western Argentina to the Tierra del Fuego.^[13] Its habitat is mainly composed of open grasslands and alpine areas up to 5,000 meters (16,000 ft) in elevation. It descends to lowland desert areas in Chile and Peru, and is found in southern-beech forests in Patagonia.^[14]

[edit] Ecology and behaviour

On wing the movements of the condor, as it wheels in majestic circles, are remarkably graceful. It soars with wings held horizontally and the primary feathers bent upwards at the tips.^[11] The lack of a large sternum to anchor correspondingly large flight muscles identifies them physiologically as primarily soarers. The birds flap their wings on rising from the ground, but after attaining a moderate elevation they seem to sail on the air. Charles Darwin commented on having watched them for half an hour without once observing a flap of their wings. They prefer to roost on high places from where they can launch without major wing-flapping effort. Often, these birds are seen soaring near rock cliffs, using the heat thermals to aid them in rising in the air.

The Andean Condor, like other New World Vultures, has the unusual habit of urohidrosis, in which it urinates or defecates on its legs to cool them by evaporation.^[15] Because of this habit, their legs are often streaked with a white buildup of uric acid.^[16]

[edit] Diet

Wild condors inhabit large territories, often traveling 250 km (150 mi) a day in search of carrion. They prefer large carcasses such as deer or cattle which they spot by looking for other scavengers, who cannot rip through the tougher hides of these larger animals with the efficiency of the larger condor. In the wild they are intermittent eaters, often going for a few days without eating, then gorging themselves on several pounds at once, sometimes to the point of being unable to lift off the ground.

[edit] Reproduction

Sexual maturity and breeding behavior do not appear in the Andean Condor until five or six years of age. They may live for 50 years or more, and mate for life. Courtship rituals include hissing and clucking while hopping with wings partially spread, and dancing.^[12] The Andean condor prefers to roost and breed at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 m 10,000-16,000 ft). There, on inaccessible ledges of rock, its nest consisting merely of a few sticks placed around the eggs, it deposits one or two bluish-white eggs, weighing about 280 g (10 ounces) and from 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in) in length, during the months of February and March every second year. The egg hatches after 54-58 days of incubation by both parents. If the chick or egg is lost or removed, another egg is laid to take its place. Researchers and breeders take advantage of this behavior to double the reproductive rate by taking the first egg away for hand-rearing, causing the parents to lay a second egg which they are generally allowed to raise.

The young are covered with a grayish down until they are almost as large as their parents. They are able to fly after six months,^[11] but continue to roost and hunt with their parents until age two, when they are displaced by a new clutch.^[17] There is a well developed social structure within large groups of condors, with competition to determine a 'pecking order' by body language, competitive play behavior, and a wide variety of vocalizations.

[edit] Relationship with Humans

The Andean Condor is a national symbol of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the South American Andean regions,^[18] similar to the role the Bald Eagle plays in North America. Its curious appearance has long brought it to the attention of people elsewhere, making it a readily recognized bird.

One of best known Peruvian songs is El Cóndor Pasa (The condor passes), composed by Peruvian musician Daniel Alomía Robles. The melody attained world fame years later, in Simon & Garfunkel's "If I Could." Colca Canyon in Peru is a notable location where tourists come to see the great Andean Condor flying freely in its natural habitat.

The eponymous hero of the Chilean comic book series Condorito ("Little Condor") is an anthropomorphic Andean condor. Condorito typifies a streetwise small-town slacker from the Andean provinces of Chile.

The Andean Condor is becoming more common in bird shows, and these large birds can prove very powerful and aggressive, so a well-trained Andean Condor appearing free in a public show is an impressive feat.

The Andean Condor is considered near threatened by the IUCN.^[14] Threats to its population include loss of habitat needed for foraging and secondary poisoning from animals killed by hunters.^[19] It is threatened mainly in the northern area of its range, and is rare in Venezuela and Colombia. Reintroduction programs using captive-bred Andean Condors have been introduced in Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia. Because it is adapted to very low mortality and correspondingly low reproductive rates, it is extremely vulnerable to human persecution.^[14] Much of the persecution by humans which occurs stems from the fact that it is perceived as a threat by farmers due to alleged attacks on livestock.^[18]

[edit] Heraldry

The Andean Condor is featured in several Coat of arms of Andean countries as a symbol of Andes mountains.

Bolivia coa.svg Coat of arms of Bolivia

Coat of arms of Chile.svg Coat of arms of Chile

Coat of arms of Colombia.svg Coat of arms of Colombia

Ecuador COA.svg Coat of arms of Ecuador

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] References

• Cisneros-Heredia, Diego F. (2006): Notes on breeding, behaviour and distribution of some birds in Ecuador. Bull. B.O.C. 126(2): 153-164.
• Ericson, Per G. P.; Anderson, Cajsa L.; Britton, Tom; Elżanowski, Andrzej; Johansson, Ulf S.; Kallersjö, Mari; Ohlson, Jan I.; Parsons, Thomas J.; Zuccon, Dario & Mayr, Gerald (2006): Diversification of Neoaves: integration of molecular sequence data and fossils. Biology Letters, in press. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0523 PDF preprint Electronic Supplementary Material
• Ferguson-Lees, James & Christie, David A. (2001): Raptors of the World. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. ISBN 0-618-12762-3
• Fisher, Harvey L. (1944): The skulls of the Cathartid vultures. Condor 46(6): 272-296. PDF fulltext
• Sibley, Charles Gald & Ahlquist, Jon Edward ([1991]): Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. ISBN 0-300-04085-7
• Sibley, Charles Gald & Monroe, Burt L. Jr. (1990): Distribution and taxonomy of the birds of the world: A Study in Molecular Evolution. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. ISBN 0-300-04969-2
• South American Classification Committee (SACC) (2007): A classification of the bird species of South America. Version 2007-SEP-21. Accessed 2007-SEP-23.

[edit] External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
• Video of Peruvian Condors
• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List
• Proyecto Conservación Cóndor Andino de Argentina, Organizado por la Fundación Bioandina Argentina.
• Andean Condor

Video footage of Peruvian Condors in flight can be seen at:

Condor1.JPG	Condor2.JPG	Vultur gryphus01.jpg	Colca-condor-c03.jpg
Colca-condor-c04.jpg	Colca-condor-c06.jpg

v • d • e Image:Flag of Colombia.svg National symbols of Colombia
National Anthem · Flag · Coat of Arms · Sombrero Vueltiao · Andean Condor · Carriel · Poporo Quimbaya · Wax Palm · May flower Orchid · Chiva Bus

ay:Kunturi

bg:Южноамерикански кондор da:Andeskondor de:Andenkondor es:Vultur gryphus eo:Anda kondoro fr:Condor des Andes it:Vultur gryphus he:קונדור האנדים ka:კონდორი (ფრინველი) lb:Anden-Kondor lt:Andų kondoras hu:Andoki kondor nl:Andescondor ja:コンドル no:Andeskondor nn:Andeskondor pl:Kondor wielki pt:Condor-dos-andes qu:Kuntur ru:Андский кондор fi:Andienkondori sv:Peruansk kondor tr:And kondoru