Photo: PhilArmitage / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Critically Endangered

Birds of Prey

California Condor

Gymnogyps californianus

California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) — Birds of Prey of North America.

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Birds of Mexico Birds of the United States Birds of Arizona Birds of California Birds of New Mexico Birds of Utah Birds of Washington Birds of Wyoming

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The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a member of the Cathartidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 8.4 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

CR Critically Endangered

Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Accipitriformes
Family Cathartidae New World Vultures
Genus Gymnogyps
Species californianus

Where it lives

Western USA

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 8.4 kg
Diet: Scavengers
Family: Cathartidae
Order: Accipitriformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Vulnerable

Andean Condor

Vultur gryphus

Least Concern

King Vulture

Sarcoramphus papa

Least Concern

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes melambrotus

Least Concern

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The California Condor feeds largely by scavenging carrion.

Behaviour

A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The California Condor is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a species of bird in the Cathartidae family, part of the order Accipitriformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA w USA.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 8.4 kg, with a wing length of about 78.8 cm and a tail of around 35.1 cm.

It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 102,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the California Condor?

The California Condor is a very large bird that weighs around 8.4 kg.

Where does the California Condor live?

The California Condor is found across North America with a range covering NA w USA, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the California Condor belong to?

The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) belongs to the Cathartidae family, in the order Accipitriformes.

What does the California Condor eat?

The California Condor feeds largely by scavenging carrion.

Does the California Condor migrate?

The California Condor is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the California Condor endangered?

It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

How large is the California Condor's range?

The California Condor has a mapped global range of about 102,000 km².