We've all heard the term thunderbird, but do you know where the term originates? Well, it's this guy, the California Condor. The term came from Native American tribes in North America who believed the Thunderbird had supernatural power and strength and it was often depicted in song and art. It was called the thunderbird because they believed he brought thunder to the skies with the beating of his huge wings, which can span up to ten feet.
The story of the California condor is quite an amazing one. In 1987 these huge birds were officially extinct in the wild. The total population worldwide declined to a low point of 22 birds, and a program was launched to capture all of the known birds and bring them into captivity in order to care for and breed them, the eventual objective being to reintroduce them into the wild in a larger and healthier population. The eggs laid were very fragile and easily broken, often due to the mother bird ingesting lead pellets and because of exposure to DDT and other poisonous chemicals, along with power lines. The mother birds would also unknowingly feed the young pieces of trash, something my mother also did to me and a habit I maintain to this day. However, in the case of the condors it wasn't such a good idea. Thanks to the ability of the condor to "double clutch," which is a protective measure against predators who might steal a laid egg births could be increased. When such a thing would occur, the mama bird could generate another egg. So the breeding program devised a technique whereby they would remove the laid egg from the nest and feed the chick using a puppet that resembled the mama bird while she raised the other chick naturally. Eventually the population started to recover and in 1991 some were reintroduced to the wild.
By 2011 there were 394 condors in existence, two-thirds of them in the wild. By 2015 276 were known to be in the wild and it was the first time that births outnumbers deaths. Visitors to the Grand Canyon might be lucky enough to spot condors in the wild - there is a known bridge under which they regularly congregate, no doubt discussing plans to free the remaining birds in captivity. It is not common to spot one, though, as they've been bred to avoid humans as well as power lines - also photographers with giant lenses and funny hats.
The recovery program is a terrific success - so far - but it was also hugely expensive, costing over 35 million U.S. dollars. It still requires around 2 million dollars a year, some from taxpayers and some from contributions. You'll be pleased to know that I've contributed in both ways.
This shot was taken at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, one of the key locations conducting condor conservation effort. If you ever visit the park, it's quite a hike to get to the condors but well worth the effort. It takes approximately as long as it did to read this entire text.
Thank you, Ron for the interesting info about the condor. They truly have made an amazing comeback.
They are a rather ugly bird - rather like a bigger version of the turkey vulture we have up here.
But, you have made a terrific capture of him!
Oh Ron, those were all hysterical interjections you added! I'll add, perhaps as additional points of interest, that there was great concern during the Thomas Fire recently in Southern California, that it was nearing the condor habitat. I think I have it correct that that exact location is not made known to people, perhaps because sometimes people do stupid things! And to @k1w1@louannwarren@farmreporter@888rachel@taffy I found it interesting to learn only recently that the reason their heads are free of feathers is to facilitate eating carrion...bloody mess and all! At my age, I could be the last one to have learned that in this group, but there you have it!
Wonderful photo and information, Ron! I'm ready to get back to the zoo!
Great photo. Thanks for being so generous as to take the time to give us a such a detailed account of their recovery. I knew parts of the story but not the dates or the numbers.
What an inspiring story thanks for sharing it with us Ron, lovely capture of this very rare bird, I thought flying Thunderbirds had jet engines and flew out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada:)
You have been hanging out with @mbrutus too much. My dissertation on the fridge pales into insignificance by comparison. !/2 fav for the photo + 1 fav for the story - 1/2 fav for such an ugly looking bird = 1 fav
They are a rather ugly bird - rather like a bigger version of the turkey vulture we have up here.
But, you have made a terrific capture of him!
Wonderful photo and information, Ron! I'm ready to get back to the zoo!