Yesterday's post showed you how Dorothy looked at age two, a bit fuzzy to say the least. Here's how she looks today (well--yesterday really)!
As you can see, she has shed all those baby down feathers, and is now sporting her fine new juvenile plumage. Even though she looks quite magnificent now, she will be GORGEOUS when she molts into her adult plumage at about 5 or 6 years of age! Check back tomorrow for a preview of what our little princess has to look forward to. (Just click on the photo to see more detail.)
Andean Condor factoid: These magnificent birds reach sexual maturity at five or six years of age, and roost at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 meters (10,000 to 16,000 ft.), generally on inaccessible rock ledges. They may live for 50 years or more in the wild (as long as 70 years in captivity), and they mate for life.
Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see what a metamorphosis this young bird will undergo in the next 2-3 years!
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