Andean Condor

Family Cathartidae, Vultur gryphus

Found throughout South America, this enormous endangered bird has a wingspan from 10.5 to 12 feet across. They stand 3.5 to 4 feet tall and they can weigh up to 33 pounds! They have a soft white ruff around the shoulders, framing the bare skin on their faces. Like most vultures they mainly eat carrion, but can attack small wounded prey. Because they are such heavy birds, they fly mainly by gliding on warm air currents rising off the ground. The males breeding display consists of him stretching out his wings and slowly turning while making a "tok tok" sound like a helicopter. Although their chicks are ready to fly at six months, the parents usually care for the chicks for two years.

Name of Pair: Laurel and Gryph

Breeding Pair: since 1998; they have produced 5 chicks. Check out the propagation page to see where the chicks go!

Prior to Breeding: Laurel came to WBS from the Cincinnati Zoo in 1998, she hatched in 1982. Gryph came to the Sanctuary in 1988, he hatched in 1981. They share a birthday of June 15th.