Condors

Condors are huge birds that live in North and South America. They have the largest wings of any land bird. Condors glide high in the sky for hours without flapping. They are a type of vulture and eat dead animals.

Huge Wings

A condor's wings can spread more than 10 feet wide. This lets them ride warm air currents in the sky. They rarely need to flap their wings. Condors can fly over 100 miles in one day looking for food.

A rare California condor with huge spread wings.
A rare California condor with huge spread wings. ((c) Pinnacles National Park, some rights reserved (CC BY) / Wikimedia Commons)

Saving Condors

California condors almost went extinct. In 1987, only 27 were left in the world. People worked hard to save them in zoos. Now there are hundreds flying in the wild again.

Fun Facts

  • Andean condors can live for over 70 years.
  • Condors can weigh up to 33 pounds.
  • A condor's wingspan is longer than most adult humans are tall.

Did You Know?

Condors do not have a voice box, so they can only make hissing and grunting sounds.