This bird has appeared in the banknotes of Chile and Colombia.The Andean condor bird (Vultur gryphus, andean condor) is the largest flying bird in Peru and one of the largest in the world.The Andean condor appeared in postal stamps in many countries including Venezuela in 2004, Chile in 2001, Colombia in 1992, Bolivia in 1985, Peru in 1973, Argentina in 1960 and Ecuador in 1958. In the Yawar Fiesta in Peru, an Andean condor is attached to the back of a bull, letting the raptor kill the bull using its talons. It was believed that their bones and organs had medicinal powers. Many Andean cultures consider this condor to be the symbol of health and power. It was believed that they were the ruler of the upper world. In the Andean mythology, this raptor was related to the sun deity. They are quite prominent in Andean arts from c. The Andean condor plays a great role in the Andean region mythology and folklore. In its native place, the Andean condor is known by other names including Peruvian condor, Chilean condor, Bolivian condor, and Ecuadorian condor among others. Like many vultures species, Vultur gryphus also exhibit urohydrosis.This popular raptor is a national symbol of many South American countries, including Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. In 1970, it was placed on top in the United States Endangered Species list. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species names this species in the ‘Near-threatened’ category. However, eggs and hatchlings are taken by small mammals, such as fox etc. Andean Condor PredatorsĪdults have no natural predators. In some of its native ages, their population has gone through a sharp decrease in recent times. The primary threats of this condor are secondary poisoning and habitat loss. They mostly use it to communicate with other specimens of its species. The habitat of Andean Condor Andean Condor Vocalization Female lay 1 – 2 eggs that are of bluish-white in color. They prefer to nest at elevations of 9500 ft to 17000 ft. Mating rituals include dancing, emitting hissing sounds and hopping with wings spread. Mating takes place early in the year – somewhere between February or March. They vigorously defend their breeding territory from other scavenging birds as well as other potential predators.The Andean Condor generally refrains from interacting directly with human beings. This bird can travel as far as two-hundred miles each day in search of food. This behavior led to the break-up of roosting sites with dominant males occupying spots where sun exposure is maximum. The number of roost sites goes up during summer and autumn. Their communal roost includes both adults and juveniles. They prefer to roost in places where they can launch flight without much flapping of the wing. They stay active during the day, mostly soaring in high altitude. This is a monogamous bird, and it is believed that they mate for life. The geographical range of Andean Condor Andean Condor Behavior and Adaptation They can live in an elevation as high as 5500 meters. They are hardly seen in coastal regions and deserts. This raptor species prefer alpine regions and open grasslands. Males’ iris are brown, while the females’ iris are deep red. Their mid-toe is elongated, while the hind one is little developed. The talons of their toes are blunt and straight. Males possess a wattle on its neck, and their head is crowned with a blackish-red caruncle. It can flush depending on its emotional state. Their neck and head are featherless and are insipid red in color. They have quite large white spots on wings which appear following the first moulting. The plumage of an adult specimen is black, and the color of their ruff is white. Among other measurements, the tarsus stands at 11 to 13 cms, while the tail is around 30 to 38 cms and wing chord measures approximately 75 to 85 centimeters. Male weighs around 11 – 15 kilograms, while the female weighs around 8 – 11 kilograms.
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