Giant Scavenger
The Andean condor is a bird from the Andean family.
They are one of the largest flying birds in the world.
They are found in the Andes and adjacent areas of the ocean coast.
They are the national symbols of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Among many peoples living in the Andes, the condor was considered a symbol of strength and health, so it was often hunted to obtain the bones and organs of these birds.
Condors are scavengers, although they sometimes feed on stolen eggs, such as from cormorants.
Condors can travel more than 200 kilometers a day in search of carrion.
During flight, condors practically do not flap their wings. The majority of the flight of these birds is gliding.
Condor nests can be found at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level.
They live in the upper parts of the mountains, in treeless, rocky areas.
The condor can reach from 100 to 130 centimeters in length, with males larger than females.
The body weight of males ranges from 11 to 15 kilograms, females from 8 to 11 kilograms.
The Andean region was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
These birds are monogamous; there are cases where condors mate for 50 years.
Andean condors breed once every two years. During breeding, the female usually lays 1 egg, but sometimes lays 2.
To cool their bodies, condors defecate on their feet.
The eggs are incubated by both the female and the male. The incubation period ranges from 54 to 60 days.
Andean condors reach sexual maturity only at 5-6 years.
Andean people can live up to 70 years, but they usually live shorter lives.
The Andean condor is endangered.