THE ANDEAN CONDOR IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION

HABITAT AND FOOD

The Andean condor inhabits coastal mountains and
mountainous hábitat types in the Andes Mountains of South
America. The species has been located at altitudes of up to
5,500 meters.

It prefers open space áreas, which helps it to detect food. The

Andean condor rests on cliffs, rocky ledges or in small caves,
where ir also nests. Each clutch includes a single White egg
that is incubated by both sexes. It nests only once a year.

The condor is an exclusively scavenger animal, feeding on all

types of large dead animals, such as: llamas, alpacas, deer,
cows, etc.

For this reason, its head and neck are devoid of feathers, to
prevent bacteria and fungi from decaying meat from causing
disease. They sometimes hunt small species such as rabbits
and rodents. Their short beak is designed to tear decaying
meat, so they can hardly hunt large animals as is commonly
believed.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANDEAN CONDOR

The Andean condor can reach a height of 1.4 meters and a
wingspan of almost 3 meters, weighing up to 15 kg in males and
11 kg in females.

Because of almost, wingspan and weight, it is consideret the

largest flying bird on the planet.

The skin of the head has a slight reddish tone and a hooked
beak with very sharp edges.

The Andean condor has wide legs, with short, slightly curved
nails. The legs are adapted for walking and skillfully handling
the carrion on which they feed.
The plumage of the young specimens is brown; during
successive feather molts, the adult Andean condor acquires the
characteristic black plumage that characterizes it. It wears a
striking white feather collar around its neck.

Males have a crest and folds on the face and neck that increase
in size as the condor ages. The females, although lacking the
crest that distinguishes the males, do have the folds on their
face and neck. Another distinctive feature is that females are
smaller than males. The condor can live up to 60 years
approximately, depending on the environment where it
develops.

ECOLOGICAL ROLE AND THREAST

The Andean condor plays an important ecological role as a
scavenger because it accelerates the decomposition process of
dead animals, thus reducing the risk of diseases associated
with the slow putrefaction of animals. It is also of evolutionary
importance because it is one of the seven species of American
vulture known for its great sense of smell. It is one of the only
predators that can break the hard skin of guanacos with its
beak. It flies thanks to the thermal rise, which helps it to see
the carrion from very high up and reach it without wasting
energy.

The condor has been threatened by hunting, deforestation, air,

water and food pollution, and the severe reduction of its food
source (dead animals).Andean condor populations have suffered
an alarming decline in recent decades throughout the Andes.
Repopulation projects are currently underway in areas
historically inhabited by condors and from which they Were
extirpated in the 20th century. The planet is in danger of losing
a species of bird in danger of extinction without equal and the
responsibility of this and of saving it is of the Man.

Integrantes:
1. Stiven Vera Tito
2. Cristhian Rimache
3. Jean Pierre Quispe umiyauri
4. Joseph Flores Guía