Condor

Condor is the common name for two genera of New World vultures, each with one extant species. The name derives from the Quechua kuntur. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.

One species, the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), inhabits the Andean mountains. The other, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), is currently restricted to the western coastal mountains of the contiguous United States and Mexico, as well as the northern desert mountains of Arizona.

Condors are part of the family Cathartidae, which contains the New World vultures, whereas the 15 species of Old World vultures are in the family Accipitridae, which also includes hawks, eagles, and kites. The New World and Old World vultures evolved from different ancestors. They both are carrion-eaters and the two groups are similar in appearance due to convergent evolution.

The term "condor" reflects a paraphyletic group, as the king vulture, which is not typically referred to as a condor, is nested within the clade that includes Andean and California condors, although it is unclear which of them it is more closely related to.

Condors are very large, broad-winged soaring birds, the Andean condor being 3 inches (7.6 centimetres) to 6 inches (15.2 centimetres) shorter (beak to tail) on average than the northern species, but heavier and larger in wingspan. The Andean condor has a wingspan of 2.7–3.1 metres (8 feet 10+1⁄2 inches – 10 feet 2 inches) and even up to about 3.20 metres (10 ft 6 in) and a weight of 8–15 kg, with males ranging from 11 to 15 kg (24 to 33 lb) and females 7.5 to 11 kg (17 to 24 lb). Meanwhile the California condor has a weight of 8–14 kg and wingspan of about 109 inches, or 2.77 meters. California condors are North America's largest flying land birds. Among all living flying birds, the Andean condor is the third heaviest after the Kori bustard and great bustard (up to 21 kg or 46 lb), and second only to the wandering albatross (up to 3.5 m or 11 ft 6 in) in wingspan. Measurements are usually taken from specimens reared in captivity.

The adult plumage is uniformly black, except for a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck, which are meticulously kept clean by the bird. As an adaptation for hygiene, the condor's head and neck have few feathers, which exposes the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and solar ultraviolet light at high altitudes. The head is much flattened above. In the male, it is crowned with a caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck lies in folds, forming a wattle. The head and neck skin can flush noticeably in response to the emotional state and transmitted between individuals. In Andean condors, specifically males, there is typically extra skin below their beak, much like that of a turkey. Alternatively, Andean condors often have a white feather collar at the base of their head. Most California condors are without an extra plumage and display a longer neck than that of the Andean.

The middle toe is greatly elongated, the hind one is slightly developed, and the nails of all the toes are comparatively straight and blunt. The feet are thus more adapted to walking (as in their closely related storks) and of little use as weapons or organs of prehension (as in birds of prey and Old World vultures). Contrary to the usual rule among birds of prey, the female is smaller than the male.

California condors' skin on the neck varies in color, depending on the age of the birds. During the breeding season, adult birds' skin color can be cream, pink, yellow, or orange. Most commonly, Andean tend to utilize white or black skin tones, while the California condor leans towards pink.