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California CondorThe World’s Rarest Bird

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Home to Magnificent Animals

With great diversity of wildlife and several preservationist organizations, the species of this area are some of the most well-guarded in the world, making the canyon an ideal place to release threatened animals to allow their repopulation.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Single Largest Bird in North America

Reintroduced to the northern Arizona wilds in the early to mid-1990s, the California condor is one of the area’s rarest specimens.

The single largest land bird in North America, this black and white vulture-like bird has a wingspan of up to 9.8 feet and the ability to live as long as 60 years.

Banished to obscurity by poaching and habitat destruction, the 22 remaining California condor were taken into a sanctuary in 1987, and to this day, the species thrives in small numbers.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Endangered Species

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. The surviving birds were bred in zoos in San Diego and Los Angeles.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Today There Are 405 Living Condors

Through the captive breeding program, the number of condors rose. In 1991 condors were reintroduced into the wild.

The first egg produced by a reintroduced condor was laid in a shallow cave at the Grand Canyon National Park.

Today there are 405 living condors including 226 living in the wild and 179 in captivity. Condors are still considered critically endangered.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Identifying Marks

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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. Young condors have dark brown feathers and a black head. Condors have tracking tags with numbers on the underside of their wings.

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Condor Facts

California condor don’t kill – they only eat already-dead animals

The California condor prefers rocky, forested habitats A California condor may fly as much as 150 miles in a

single day Many of these birds live in caves or tree cavities

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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More Condor Facts…

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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 Overall length of a Condor can range from 43 to 55 inches

(109 to 140 cm)

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Condor Facts Continued…

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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). Their weight can range from 15 to 31 lb (7 to 14.1 kg) The leading cause of death for the California condor is lead

poisoning (from eating carrion containing lead shot).

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California Condor N8

Not all is doom and gloom for the California condor. N8 was released near the Grand Canyon National Park in June of

last year 2014 N8 was lost and feared to be dead.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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N8 Released in Grand Canyon

California condor N8 was spotted – and successfully photographed. N8 hails from the Grand Canyon National Park, he’s two years old, and we’re

overjoyed that he’s doing well (2015). This 2-year-old California condor should still have a good 50-60 years ahead of him,

but in the meantime, it’s good to have a little peace of mind.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Support the California Condor

Purchase a stuffed conservation critter at the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center and take it with you to the Canyon, submit your photos and show your support! Proceeds from your purchase will support the California Condor Restoration Program a project of the Peregrine Fund.

Adopt A Condor for only $12.00 and continue to help condors to survive and thrive again. Available in the National Geographic Store at the Grand Canyon, South Rim. We also can ship a condor to you. Call 928-638-2468 and we can process your order.

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Contact Us

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center

450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023

Phone: 928-638-2468

Group Reservations and Special Events:

Phone: 877-239-3235

Fax: (928)638-2807

E-mail: group2@ngvccanyon.com

Visitor Center hours of operation

March- October open 8:00am- 10:00pm

November- February open 10:00am-8:00pm

Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468