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Condor is the name for
two species of bird in one of the vulture families. They are the
largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere. The South
American Condor (Vultur gryphus) inhabits the Andes mountains.
The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) inhabits the western
coast of the United States. Although they are primarily scavengers,
feeding on carrion, these species belong to the New World vulture
family Cathartidae, related to storks and not closely related
to Old World vultures, which are in the family Accipitridae along
with hawks, eagles and kites. Condors usually measure about 1.2
m (4 feet) from the point of the beak to the extremity of the
tail and 3 m (10 feet) between the tips of its wings, and can
weigh over 13 kilograms (30 pounds). Although other birds may
have larger wingspan, the wing chord of the condor (distance from
leading to trailing edge of wing) is exceptionally large, resulting
in a very large total wing area, an adaptation for soaring.
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The adult plumage
is of a uniform black, with the exception of a frill of white
feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck and, especially
in the male, large patches or bands of white on the wings which
do not appear until the completion of the first moulting. As an
adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have no feathers, exposing
the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and ultraviolet
light at high altitudes, and are meticulously kept clean by the
bird. The head, which is much flattened above, is in the male
crowned with a caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in
the male lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the head
and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional
state, which serves to communicate between individuals.
Above Image Come From The Us Fish and Wildlife Service
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