Condors: Returning to Our Skies

Condors: Returning to Our Skies. . , The Magnificant Condor , The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is an ancient species that once soared from Mexico to Canada. In 1805 Lewis and Clark were the first explorers to record condors for western science. When they saw the huge dark birds on their expedition down the great Columbia River they dubbed them "The Beautiful Buzzards of Columbia." Lewis made detailed journal notes describing and illustrating a condor that was shot for a specimen. Due to early collection for museums, the loss of top predators to provide carrion in the landscape, hunting, and poisoning, condor populations steadily declined as settlers expanded west. By the 1970s, condors were on the very brink of extinction. In 1987 scientists captured the last 27 condors from the wild in a last-ditch effort to try to save them. , Back from the Brink , Fortunately, the captive breeding program was successful, and the condor population is slowly recovering. Birds continue to be released in remote areas of the West to live and raise their young in the wild once again., Roaming Scavengers , Condors eat meat, but they do not hunt and kill for food. Rather, they search for the carcasses of animals that have died or been killed. Here along the coast, marine mammals, especially whales, are favored food. Inland, they typically eat dead elk, deer, wild pig rabbit, squirrel, or even mice. Full recovery of condors is hampered, however, because these giant scavengers often swallow fragments of lead ammunition found in carrion left behind by hunters., Tell-tale Feathers , Lead is fatal to condors (and any other living organism that ingests it). Scientists study condor feathers to check for lead poisoning. A primary feather grows about an inch a week. Lead in blood is deposited in the feather as it grows. Like tree rings, the feather creates a record of lead exposure over time that provides a picture of the condor's health. Wildlife experts advocate the responsible use of non-lead ammunition.