Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
Huge vulture of the Andes, but also ranges into lowlands in southern Chile and Tierra del Fuego. Increasingly scarce over much of its range (for example, probably less than 200 individuals in Ecuador).
We saw several Condors in the regular area around Antisana on this trip but were surprised to find this male walking around some cattle pasture on the road from Zuro Loma to Yanacocha. As there were several cattle that looked close to calving (or recently calved) we did wonder if this bird hoped to feast on the afterbirth. Anyway, a real treat to see this grounded bird at less than 100m distance and later in flight as it relocated on the hillside. Hugely impressive on all levels.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
Huge vulture of the Andes, but also ranges into lowlands in southern Chile and Tierra del Fuego. Increasingly scarce over much of its range (for example, probably less than 200 individuals in Ecuador).
We saw several Condors in the regular area around Antisana on this trip but were surprised to find this male walking around some cattle pasture on the road from Zuro Loma to Yanacocha. As there were several cattle that looked close to calving (or recently calved) we did wonder if this bird hoped to feast on the afterbirth. Anyway, a real treat to see this grounded bird at less than 100m distance and later in flight as it relocated on the hillside. Hugely impressive on all levels.