The California Condor: An endangered species in California

California condor, (Gymnogyps californianus)

The California condor, Gymnogyps californianus, is one of the largest flying birds in the world. When it soars, the wings spread more than nine feet from tip to tip. Condors may weigh more than 20 pounds.

photo by Neil Johnson, Los Angeles Zoo

Endangered, permanent resident of the semi-arid,  rugged mountain ranges surrounding the southern San Joaquin Valley , including the Coast Ranges from Santa Clara Co. south to Los Angeles Co., the Transverse Ranges, Tehachapi Mts., and southern Sierra Nevada. Forages over wide areas of open rangelands, roosts on cliffs and in large trees and snags.

Map of the California Condor's critical habitat in southern California (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

Image of California Condor Predicted Habitat (Left) and USA Park (right)

The sub-population in California comprises 200 wild individuals in two distinct but loosely intermixing flocks. The Southern Californian flock is managed by the USFWS Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Condor Recovery staff and the Central California flock is managed collectively by the Ventana Wildlife Society and Pinnacles National Park. The California birds occur regularly in Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterrey, San Benito, Tulare and Fresno Counties.

photo by Neil Johnson, Los Angeles Zoo