Dorothy's Story
Species: Andean Condor
Hatched: 2006
Dorothy was hatched at the World Bird Sanctuary's breeding facility, which is an area not normally open to the public. Her parents, Gryph and Laurel, were on loan to us from the Cincinnati Zoo as part of the Andean Condor Species Survival Program. It is normal procedure for an organization participating in a Species Survival Program (SSP) to place a number of individuals of the endangered species with other qualified organizations to guard against a catastrophe that could wipe out an entire gene pool.
While they were in our care Gryph and Laurel produced eggs, and in 2004 & 2005 two of those babies were released back into the wild to soar the canyons of their native Columbia, along with babies from other participating zoos.
At this point we believe that Dorothy will remain with us as an education bird. She is still a baby, but has been responding well to target training techniques. We are hoping that she will prove to be an ambassador for her species in educational programs that will spread the word about the threats to this magnificent species' survival.
To adopt Dorothy, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-Bird: DOROTHY. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send your adoption materials!
Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:
* A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for your personal visit.
* Certificate of Adoption
* Color photo of the bird you've adopted
* Sponsorship Card
* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
* Life History and Natural History of the bird
* 10% discount off WBS merchandise
* Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
* Discounts on WBS Special Events
* WBS Decal
Natural History
andean condor
Vultur gryphus
Description: largest of the vultures; black overall with gray on the wings; white downy ruff around the neck and a wattled head; male's head has a large, fleshy caruncle which is lacking in the female
Sex: female slightly smaller than the male
Age: 50 years (approx.)
Length: 43-51" body length; stands 4' tall
Wingspan: 10-14 ft.
Weight: 20-30 lbs.
Habitat: open grasslands and alpine areas in high mountain regions; will go to lowland deserts and coastlines to forage, but rarely visit forest areas
Status: endangered; due to illegal shooting, habitat disturbance, secondary lead poisoning; current captive breeding and reintroduction programs appear to be successful; some of the released birds are reported to be breeding in the wild
Range: entire length of the Andes Mountains, including the nearby Pacific coastline
Behavior: the courtship display consists of the male drawing himself erect, fully extending his wings, and clicking his tongue while his reddish neck becomes bright yellow; they lay their single egg on bare ground in caves and on ledges among steep cliffs; mating occurs every other year during July; incubation is 54-58 days; fledging takes another 180 days; both parents care for young; young leave parents in second year; young birds become sexually mature at 6 or more years
Diet: carrion, newborn animals, and seabird eggs when available
Vocalization: generally silent; only vocalization is a low wheezing or grunting
» The Andean Condor is the only member of it's genus
» The downy white ruff around the neck can be used as a sort of hood to keep the bare head warm in cold mountain climates. The bird simply tucks it's head and raises the neck hackles
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