![]() He approaches the female with his wings spread and his neck outstretched and arched with his bill pointing down. His neck and wattle, which are normally a dull pinkish-grey color, flush a bright sulfur yellow. In general the male begins to display by spreading his wings and inflating his neck. It is loosely hypothesized that the stick behavior may be remnant of when the species ancestors were nest builders but no formal studies have been conducted. These behaviors were not observed in all cases, and no definite explanation was offered. Also the male has been described to present the female with small twigs and straws that they both lodge in their wing feathers, immediately followed by the object falling to the ground. The male display can begin with pre-display behavior that includes the male rubbing his head and neck against a tree or post. Accounts of wild birds have been made at great distances without clear views or description of the display or copulatory behavior. The mating behavior of Andean condors differs between accounts in zoo settings and the limited observations of wild birds. As the pair mate and the time draws near to the female laying their egg, they will gradually begin to roost closer and closer to the nest ledge until they are finally roosting overnight inside it. Range length 97.5 to 128 cm 38.39 to 50.39 inĪ pair of Andean condors may select a nest site and then roost in (or near) it for as much as two and a half months before mating actually begins.Their feet and legs are covered in circular scales that are dark grey in color. ![]() The hind toe is less developed, but the middle toe is much longer that the other toes. This adaption is well suited for a lifestyle of walking and scavenging. The feet of Andean condors are much less powerful with shorter blunted talons compared to those of other birds of prey. This is used for communication between individuals and males also use this for displays during mating season. Both sexes have the ability to change the color of the bare skin on their neck and face in association with mood. Sexes differ in eye color as well, with males having brown irises and females having red. Also, males have a large caruncle (comb) and wattle which females lack. Unlike many other birds of prey, male Andean condors are considerably larger than the females. Their wingspan of 3.2 m is the longest wingspan of any land bird.Īndean condors are the only species in the family Cathartidae that exhibit drastic sexual dimorphism. Andean condors weigh between 7.7 and 15 kg and range from 97.5 to 128 cm in length. The bases of their upper and lower mandibles are dark with the rest of the beak being ivory colored. The beak is hooked at the end and functions in tearing rotting meat off a corpse. This baldness is presumably a hygienic adaptation, as the bare skin is easier to keep clean and dry after feeding on carrion. The head and neck of adult condors are bare of feathers and are generally black to dark reddish brown, while juveniles have much darker skin and young hatchlings have fluffy grey down on their bodies. When extended, the wing tips have gaps between the primaries which is an adaptation for soaring. They also have white flight feathers on their wings as adults, with those of the male being more pronounced. Range elevation 0 to 5,500 m 0.00 to ftĪndean condors have dark feathers in maturity (while juveniles are olive-grey and brown), with a white collar or downy plumage around the base of their necks.( Lambertucci, et al., 2009 Rios-Uzeda and Wallace, 2007) They use the thermals that rise and spiral off of these cliff faces to soar for hours with very little effort, scanning for carrion. ![]() Andean condors roost and nest on cliff faces in small rock ledges or caves. They prefer areas with wide open spaces which aid in their detection of food. They have been located at elevations of up to 5,500 m. ( Hendrickson, et al., 2003 Rios-Uzeda and Wallace, 2007)Īndean condors inhabit mountain and coastal mountain habitat types in the Andean mountains of South America. ![]() Populations reach much higher densities in the regions south of the Northern Peruvian Low, were they inhabit vast areas of highland prairie, desert, and coastal regions. In an isolated network of mountain peaks in the Andes of Columbia and Ecuador, the population is thought to be in decline. The wild population was thought to be extirpated from Venezuela but is very rarely still seen there. Andean condors can be found in Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Andean condors ( Vultur gryphus) inhabit most of western South America in the mountains and deserts ranging from western Venezuela south to Tierra del Fuego. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |