Taking Flight

The second California condor chick to fledge in the wild in California in more than 14 years has left its nest at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, officials announced today.   The six-month old chick, "Number 412," left its nest for the first time October 22, flying approximately 15 feet and is continuing to make short flights near the nest site.

The young condor continues to make short flights while remaining close to the nest site. At least one parent is nearby keeping a watchful eye on the bird as it explores the surroundings. The parents will continue to care for the juvenile condor until it is approximately 18 months old.

The chick was hatched May 2 near the refuge, which is home to the Service's California Condor Recovery Program.  It is the first chick to fledge in the wild in California since 2004, and the second since the federally-listed condors were reintroduced in 1992.  This brings the total number of California condor chicks to fledge in the wild to seven. Five condor chicks have fledged in Arizona.

"This is a significant event; each time a condor chick fledges in the wild it brings us that much closer to the goal of the recovery of this great bird," said Steve Thompson, an official with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

 Within all release sites, only one other chick hatched this year, but died of unknown causes after two months.

The largest bird in North America, condors are scavengers that have soared over mountainous areas of California since prehistoric times, but their numbers plummeted in the 20th Century. Condor numbers declined in part due to loss of habitat and food and from shooting, lead poisoning and toxic substances used to poison predators.

---LiveScience Staff

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Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service