griphus
Condor Vultur "This magnificent bird extends along western South America from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego and the mountains of southern Argentina. Venezuela recently was reintroduced in the country where it was extinguished. Inhabits the upper reaches of the mountains down to sea level in search of food. In more than one occasion it has been portrayed as an emblem of the Andes. It is the largest flying bird in the world, can weigh 12 kg. Its length is about 120 cm. and its wingspan of 3 m. Adults are black with a white collar and white patches on the back of the wings. There is considerable sexual dimorphism: the male is larger and has a large crest on the head and brown eyes. The females have no crest and red eyes. The show immature plumage brown.
are scavengers that locate dead animals by sight. Once located the food, often waiting hours or days before approaching him. There is a hierarchy in this process, feeding on adults first and then the youngest. The female lays one egg every two years, which is placed directly on the rock, preferably on the cliffs of the mountains. The incubation period lasts 56 days. Breeding lasts for one year under the care of their parents, learning to fly and find food and join the rest of the community. Recently reached sexual maturity at age 8.
In the past there were massacres massive condors, which are no longer the case today. However, many times they are still haunted by the myth that may pose a risk to the sheep. "
Dr. Guillermo Tell, Dr. Irina Izaguirre, Dr Rubén Darío Quintana. Patagonian flora and fauna. Caleuche Editions. Argentina. 1999.
