An Magnificent Animal

CONDOR AN MAGNIFICENT ANIMAL

PAUL CHACON
1E"2"
CARLOS ZHAGUI

Characteristics

The Andean condor is one of the largest raptor species in the neotropics. Its body length is 120 cm, reaching a wingspan of 300 cm and a weight of about 12 kg. Its beak is white-cream at the tip and black at the base.

Habitat

The Andean condor rests on cliffs, rocky ledges or in small caves, where it also nests. The condor has been found at altitudes of up to 5,500 meters above sea level.

Feeding

The diet of the Andean condor is basically made up of dead animals; only on certain occasions can it hunt small prey. When the condor spots the carcass of an animal, it does not immediately pounce on it, but flies over it for days. Once it decides to descend, it begins to eat the softest parts of the carcass, such as eyes, abdomen, crotch and viscera.

Causes for its extinction

-Loss of habitat.
-Poisoning.
-Competition for food with feral and poorly cared for domestic dogs.
-Illegal hunting.
-Lack of food within the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) and other publicly administered natural areas.

-Restrict the invasion of airspace with paragliders, drones or any type of model aircraft that could cause a collision accident with the condor.
-Prohibit the use of bait as an attractant for condor observation, as this has negative effects on the animals, which, having a fixed source of food, will not fly to get it.
-Photographing the condor near its habitat area will not be allowed, because this species is frightened by sudden movements, causing it to leave the area.

How to conserve the species