Andean Condor

Vultur gryphus

The Andean Condor is the most iconic bird of the South American Andes. Restricted to the Andean mountain chain and parts of the adjacent western lowlands, the Andean Condor is the world’s largest flying bird. Andean Condors have become national symbols in several countries due to their imposing stature and cultural presence in the region. They feed nearly exclusively on carrion, preferring large-sized carcasses of wild Andean camelids as well as those of domestic livestock. Formerly found along the entire length of the Andes, the Andean Condor’s range is now reduced to the countries of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Despite its reverence and cultural symbolism, the Andean Condor is often considered a predator of domestic livestock. As with other large vultures, its populations continue declining in many regions of the Andes primarily due to prosecution and poisoning by local farmers.

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Appearance & Habitat