Equal time--All About Condors

[elcondor]

(no offense to Coffee Coyote :hi: )



The California condor is the largest land bird in North America. Adult condors have a wingspan of approximately 9.5 feet, weigh about 22 pounds, and stand between 45 and 55 inches tall.

Condors are scavengers. They feed only on animal carcasses and do not kill live prey. After eating, they clean their head and neck by bathing in water or by rubbing against grass, rocks, or tree branches. Their beaks are long, sharp, and powerful. They have good hearing and keen eyesight.

In their search for food, condors have been known to fly up to 150 miles in a day. They can soar on thermals at altitudes of 15,000 feet, though normally soar much lower.

While historically California condors ranged throughout the southern United States, by the 1940s they were found only on the West Coast, primarily in the coastal mountains of southern California. As they began to approach extinction they were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in March of 1967.

One of the main causes of the condors’ demise was their consuming and digesting lead bullets used to kill the animals on whose remains they feed. Condors have strong digestive systems and are able to break down bullet fragments. They can succumb to lead poisoning. Others have died from collisions with or electrocution by power lines.

Happily, today, California condors are being reintroduced into the coastal mountains near Santa Barbara and in central California.

(from http://www.terrafocus.org/pages.cfm?pageID=27)

[number9]

1. Not to be rude

but what other scavenger gets the "airplay" that condors get? What are they good for? (won't erase, but know that's a loaded question)

I recently read that the first one in years was born in the Grand Canyon In Az.

[elcondor]

2. Not sure where you are coming from but

I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. What are animals "good for" really, besides being here for food for humans(meant as a sarcastic, rhetorical, question)? Condors, like any other animal, share the planet with us and deserve to be protected from our destructive behavior (see: the section about condors getting lead poisoning from bullets).

Condors get "airplay" because until recently they were endanger of disappearing entirely from the earth (they still aren't out of the woods yet). These are majestic and beautiful birds that have as much right to exsist as we (humans) do. Other scavengers (such as hyenas) don't get as much positive press, granted, but I still consider them to be just as important to respect as, say, an eagle or tiger.

I hope I made sense. :shrug:

[number9]

3. You are absolutely correct

I didn't mean to come across as crude, but do wonder why beautiful condors get good press while creatures such as vultures (crappy name and scavengers as well) seem to be so hated.

All creatures that share the earth have as much a right to be here as me or you. I know that in my heart, but wonder why we have to rank creatures as better or worse. I got mad recently when I found mouse droppings in my cabinets. I don't have anything against mice, but don't like them invading my home - disease spread possible.

[elcondor]

5. I know what you mean!

Vultures are always cast as the villains in cartoons, people have little regard for their lives, etc . . . really, the only reason I chose to post about condors (versus any other scavenger) was because of my name! ;-) I chose this handle because condors have always been a favorite animal of mine and I really like the Simon and Garfunkel song "El Condor Pasa." (Which actually translates into "the condor one happens" according to Babelfish.) :D

[Coffee Coyote]

4. none taken!

You can learn just about ANYTHING on DU!! :hi: