The population steadily declined during the 20th century until there were only 27 California condors known to exist in the world.

The last of the free-flying condors were taken into captivity in 1987 to avoid additional mortality and to preserve as much diversity of the gene pool as possible. Reintroduction of condors into the wild began in early 1992 and continues today, with the population of approximately 330 in the wild.

Lead poisoning from spent ammunition is the number one cause of death among adult California condors in the wild. Condors also pick up and feed their young small objects left behind by humans, such as pieces of glass and metal, and have been known to accidentally drink poison like antifreeze. Human development has significantly degraded or destroyed the habitat condors require for foraging, nesting and roosting. 

Defenders' Impact

Over the last decade, Defenders worked with the California state legislature to phase out the use of lead ammunition to take wildlife statewide by 2019, and we continue to advocate for an end to lead ammunition on all public lands, particularly national wildlife refuges.

Defenders works closely with federal and state agencies, as well as renewable energy companies, to develop long-term “smart from the start” wind and solar energy development plans that protect key landscapes, including condor habitat. We also engage with wind energy producers and closely tracks the progress of federal policies that could determine how wind energy projects impact condors.

Defenders has also commented on the proposed reintroduction of California condors to Redwoods National Park in northwestern California, which would return the species farther north into its historical territory than it’s ever been in contemporary times. 

Threats

Humans are the greatest threat — lead poisoning, microtrash ingestion and habitat destruction from housing developments and oil and gas drilling all threaten condors.

Protection Status
Endangered Species Act
IUCN Red List
CITES
 Endangered
 Critically Endangered
 Appendix I
What You Can Do

Encourage hunters to use lead free, non-toxic ammunition. Adopt “Leave No Trace” ethics and organize clean-up activities in condor habitat.

Facts
Latin Name
Gymnogyps californianus
Size
The California condor is the largest land bird in North America with a wingspan of more than 9 feet and can weigh up to 20 pounds.
Lifespan
Condors can live 45-80 years, but average about 60 years.
Range/Habitat

Efforts to reintroduce California condors began in early 1992 and today they can be found primarily in California, Arizona, southern Utah and Baja California, Mexico. California condors live in rocky, forested regions including canyons, gorges and mountains.

Population

The California condor population steadily declined during the 20th century until there were only about 27 known to exist in the world. By the end of 2019, there were 337 free-flying condors in the condors and 181 in captivity.

Behavior

Condors can soar to heights of 15,000 feet and may travel up to 150 miles a day in search of their next meal. They find their food mostly by their keen eyesight, as they have a poor sense of smell. Condors will often seek out other scavengers, such as turkey vultures, to track potential food sources.

Reproduction

California condors most often nest in caves, crevices in rock faces and tree cavities. Condors don’t reach adulthood until they are six or seven years old. Once sexually mature, they produce just one egg each year and provide an extensive amount of parental care. The chick learns to fly when they are about six months old and stay with the parents for several more months afterward.
Mating Season: Winter - Spring
Gestation: About 56 days for egg incubation
Clutch size: 1 egg

Diet

Condors consume carrion (dead animal carcasses). They prefer the carcasses of large dead animals like deer, cattle and sheep, as well as marine mammals that have washed up on the shore along the coastline. However, they are also known to eat the carcasses of smaller animals like squirrels and rabbits.

News

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USFWS
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Defenders Offers Reward Money After Fatal Condor Shooting

Defenders of Wildlife is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting of an

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