The California Condor was listed as an endangered species on March 11, 1967. Today there are 405 living condors including 226 living in the wild and 179 in captivity. Two known nests are on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon while another is on the Kaibab Plateau.

1. California
Condor Birds
in the
Grand Canyon
by
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com

2. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The Grand Canyon contains 5
different ecosystems at close
proximity.
• Riparian
• Desert Scrub
• Pinon-Jumiper Woodland
• Pondersoa Pine Forest
• Montane Forest
Soaring above all this a rare bird
called the California Condor Bird,

3. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The California Condor was listed as an
endangered species on March 11, 1967.
Despite intense conservation efforts, the
population dwindled to 33.
The last remaining wild condor was brought
into captivity in 1987.

4. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The surviving birds were bred in zoos in San
Diego and Los Angeles.
Through the captive breeding program, the
number of condors rose.
In 1991 condors were reintroduced into the
wild.

5. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The first egg
produced by a
reintroduced
Condor was
laid in a
shallow cave
at the Grand
Canyon
National
Park.

6. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Today there are 405 living condors including
226 living in the wild and 179 in captivity.
Condors are still considered critically
endangered.

7. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Identifying Marks
Adult Condors have
black feathers with a large
triangular patch of white
feathers on the underside
of the wings.
Their bill is ivory colored
with a bald head and grey
feet.
Their skin color varies
from reddish- orange to
yellow.

8. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Young
Condors have
dark brown
feathers and a
black head.
Condors have
tracking tags
with numbers
on the
underside of
their wings.

9. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Facts
• The female is slightly smaller than the male.
• They have been known to fly as high as
15,000 ft. (4,600 km)
• The Condor is the Largest North American
Land Bird
• It is one of the longest living birds in the world
with a life span of up to 60 years

10. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Facts Continued
• Overall length of a Condor can range
from 43 to 55 inches (109 to 140 cm)
• They can fly up to speeds of 55 mph (90
km/h).
• Their wingspan can range from 8.2 to 9.8
ft. (2.49 to 3 m).

11. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Facts
Continued
• The leading
cause of death
for the California
condor is lead
poisoning (from
eating carrion
containing lead
shot).

12. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Two known
nests are on
the South
Rim of the
Grand
Canyon
while
another is
on the
Kaibab
Plateau.

13. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The Conundrum Of Unhatched Condor Eggs
Current Condor News
September 18th 2013

14. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Current Condor
News
Continued
In the coastal
redwood forests of
Central California,
scientists trying to
unravel the mystery
surrounding the
reproductive
problems of dozens
of endangered
condors think they
have uncovered the
Photo: Tim Huntington, Associated
Press

15. Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Photo: Tim Huntington, Associated
Press
Current Condor News
Continued
Kelly Sorenson,
executive director of
Ventana Wildlife
Society and a co-
author of a new study
on condors, said
researchers who spent
six years studying their
reproductive problems
have "established a
strong link" to DDT in
the birds' food source.

16. Click to Watch
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Check out
National
Geographic
Visitor
Center's
Condor
Encounter
Bird Show

17. National Geographic Visitor
Center
450 State Route 64
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Phone: (928) 638-2468
Hours of Operation
March- October open 8:00am-
10:00pm.
November- February open
10:00am-8:00pm.