The condor, emblematic bird of Peru (Part 1 of 6)
Introduction
In this article and the next five will deal with all aspects of the condor, from aspects of their biology and habitat to those concerning the influence on the culture and experiences of lands where has their domain.
The Andean condor or just condor (Vultur gryphus) is a bird of the family Cathartidae living in South America; in the Andes, near ridges and the adjacent coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is no largest seabird in the world. The name comes from the Quechua or kuntur Cuntur. (Ref. One)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1970 cataloged as a near threatened species suffering habitat loss and poisoning by feeding on poisoned animals or own illegally poisoned bait placed by hunters and ranchers. Several countries began captive breeding programs. (Ref. One)
The condor, lord of the skies
Males have a crest or wattles and creases on the face and neck that increase in size with age. Achieve greater weight and size than females and their eyes are brown. Females have no crest although like males have creases. His eyes are red.
Some customs
Condors feed on dead animals. Once located the carrion, the condors descend immediately from eating but merely flying over it or settle somewhere where it is clear. It may take a day or two until finally approaching. Begin to feed on the most accessible or soft spots of bodies, with their strong, sharp beaks tear open the tissue and hides, which further facilitates the use of the piece by smaller scavengers. A condor can eat about 5 kg of meat a day and can fast up to 5 weeks. (Ref. 0.1)
Condors are pretty dumb because they have stunted the syrinx. Roosts, shared by adult specimens sub-adults and juveniles of both sexes are generally located in high cliffs are protected from rain, wind and potential predators. And preferred roosting perches and contested, are those who receive early sunlight. Condors use several roosts depending on the availability of food in the area; can be found concentrations of up to 124 individuals.
In natural environment, the least known aspect of the condor is the question of reproduction. Condors are monogamous, choose a mate and stay with it for life. The reproductive cycle of the condor, including courtship, mating, incubation and chick lift up their emancipation takes about two or three years. The species has the longest incubation period in birds of prey; at the time of estrus or heat the reddish commonly head skin becomes yellowish them. After 56-60 days incubation shared born chick which is fed by both parents with regurgitated meat. At six months and try to take their first flights in the immediate area of
The condor, living Spirit of the Andes.
The Incas believed that the condor was immortal; also that symbolized strength, intelligence and glorification or exaltation. It was an animal respected by all those who lived in the Andes since pre-Hispanic times, as it not only brought good and bad omens, but was also responsible for the sun to rise every morning, because his energy was able to take the sun and lift over the mountains starting the life cycle. (Ref. One)
In 1983, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that the longest of any bird species was an Andean condor who survived 72 years in captivity; after being captured as a juvenile. Another record was that of a male named "Thaao" who lived in Connecticut Bearsdley Zoo, captured in 1930 and died on January 26, 2010, at the age of 79. (Ref. 2) The Incas were right when you consider the average lifespan of the population at that time.
In the current Peru shield condor does not appear because for the representation of the natural resources in the animal kingdom, the vicuna, a species that is also a matter of national pride was chosen.
In Chile appears crowned shield and profile of Colombia takes on an olive branch in its beak, while in Ecuador shown with wings spread. In all cases is represented the natural, attitude and flight with wings spread.
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For now, make an imaginary trip to the Colca Valley, Arequipa to see the flight of the condor, lord of the skies. In the next installment we will develop this theme at length.
The Condor has been the subject of inspiration for artists, in the case of music I present a version. Soon extensively develop this theme.
Introduction
In this article and the next five will deal with all aspects of the condor, from aspects of their biology and habitat to those concerning the influence on the culture and experiences of lands where has their domain.
The Andean condor or just condor (Vultur gryphus) is a bird of the family Cathartidae living in South America; in the Andes, near ridges and the adjacent coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is no largest seabird in the world. The name comes from the Quechua or kuntur Cuntur. (Ref. One)
The Andean
Condor was described in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae
with original binomial nomenclature Vultur gryphus.
The generic term Vultur is Latin vultur or
voltur, which means 'vulture',
meanwhile, gryphus derived from the
ancient Greek word γρυπός (groups 'spike-shaped hook').
It is a species closely related to the
California condor and the condor of the jungle or royal condor (Ref. 1)
In Peru, one of its major habitats, lives in the Colca Canyon, Caylloma province,
Arequipa, a major tourist destination. It
is also found in Argentina,
Chile; in Venezuela was declared extinct, Colombia
and Ecuador and
natural populations have declined.
(Ref. One)
The condor is a large black bird with white
feathers around the neck and
parts of the wings. Feathered
head and is
devoid of red
hue may change according
to the emotional state of the bird.
Unlike most birds
of prey, the male is larger than
the female.
Figures 05, 05a
Figures 05, 05a
It is a scavenger bird, reaches sexual maturity at 5 or
6 years and nests between 1000
and 5000 masl, generally on inaccessible
rock formations. With a very low reproductive rate, is expected to put at least one egg
every two years. It is long-lived and can reach the age of 50 years.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1970 cataloged as a near threatened species suffering habitat loss and poisoning by feeding on poisoned animals or own illegally poisoned bait placed by hunters and ranchers. Several countries began captive breeding programs. (Ref. One)
Since 1800, the number and distribution
throughout all of South America were greatly reduced; was endangered by the based
on the belief that the condors
hunt live cattle and
certain body parts have magical powers therapeutic
or extermination. Currently
released 2620 copies
survive only in Peru (120 only in the Andes
of north), 2784 condors distributed between
Argentina and Chile together
with Colombia and
Venezuela with 14 100 (population recently
created with specimens from captive breeding). In Bolivia
there is no data.
In Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and especially,
reforestation projects are carried out
in areas historically inhabited by condors, which
were eliminated in the s. XX. According to
historical records, the
population density was always lower in the northern end of the Andes, because in Bolivia,
Chile and Argentina are relatively unpopulated
vast human territories and excellent habitat for
the species.
The first captive-bred condors were released into
the wild in 1989 in USA, in 1988 the Fish
and Wildlife USA began
a reintroduction experiment
with releasing condors in captivity into the wild in California.
The condor is considered as
Cultural and Natural Heritage in South America. It is a national symbol of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and
has an important role in the folklore
and mythology of the Andean regions of
South America. The Andean condor was declared a natural monument in Chile by
decree on June 30, 2006.
The condor, lord of the skies
In the Ref. 1 states that
the Andean condor is one of the largest in the world after wandering albatross flying birds. Adults can measure up to 142 cm tall, and between
270 and 330 cm wingspan, weighing 11 to 15 kg in
males and 8-11 kg in females. The naked
and relatively small, usually reddish head,
can change color according to the
mood of the animal; the peak is very sharp edges and
ends in hook. The wings are long and wide, and legs not prehensile,
have short nails and little curves, and
high posterior insertion
finger, adapted for walking and for holding carrion.
The juvenile plumage of both sexes is brown, by successive molts acquires
the characteristic jet-black plumage of
adults. A broad white band
stands on the back of the wings and a white necklace,
not completely closed in front, protects the bare skin of
the neck.
Males have a crest or wattles and creases on the face and neck that increase in size with age. Achieve greater weight and size than females and their eyes are brown. Females have no crest although like males have creases. His eyes are red.
The condor is a bird flying at higher
altitudes, using vertical thermal updrafts of warm air and can relatively easily achieve 7000 m; then can plan for
hundreds of miles almost without
moving wings spread, condor consumes
very little power and its dense
plumage can withstand freezing temperatures (Ref. 1) Charles Darwin
commented that he had seen flying condors for half
an hour without observing a
single movement of wings (Ref. 2)
Some customs
Condors feed on dead animals. Once located the carrion, the condors descend immediately from eating but merely flying over it or settle somewhere where it is clear. It may take a day or two until finally approaching. Begin to feed on the most accessible or soft spots of bodies, with their strong, sharp beaks tear open the tissue and hides, which further facilitates the use of the piece by smaller scavengers. A condor can eat about 5 kg of meat a day and can fast up to 5 weeks. (Ref. 0.1)
Healthy adults have no natural
predators, but birds of prey and mammalian predators may take eggs or chicks; but
predation is rare because the parents aggressively
defend their nests, which are located in high
cliffs and inaccessible areas
for mammals. (Ref.2)
Condors are pretty dumb because they have stunted the syrinx. Roosts, shared by adult specimens sub-adults and juveniles of both sexes are generally located in high cliffs are protected from rain, wind and potential predators. And preferred roosting perches and contested, are those who receive early sunlight. Condors use several roosts depending on the availability of food in the area; can be found concentrations of up to 124 individuals.
In natural environment, the least known aspect of the condor is the question of reproduction. Condors are monogamous, choose a mate and stay with it for life. The reproductive cycle of the condor, including courtship, mating, incubation and chick lift up their emancipation takes about two or three years. The species has the longest incubation period in birds of prey; at the time of estrus or heat the reddish commonly head skin becomes yellowish them. After 56-60 days incubation shared born chick which is fed by both parents with regurgitated meat. At six months and try to take their first flights in the immediate area of
his birthplace; nine months is ready to fly with their
parents. After a year and a half
or two he joined the
local population, and disputes
a place in the carcass.
The condor, living Spirit of the Andes.
The Incas believed that the condor was immortal; also that symbolized strength, intelligence and glorification or exaltation. It was an animal respected by all those who lived in the Andes since pre-Hispanic times, as it not only brought good and bad omens, but was also responsible for the sun to rise every morning, because his energy was able to take the sun and lift over the mountains starting the life cycle. (Ref. One)
In 1983, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that the longest of any bird species was an Andean condor who survived 72 years in captivity; after being captured as a juvenile. Another record was that of a male named "Thaao" who lived in Connecticut Bearsdley Zoo, captured in 1930 and died on January 26, 2010, at the age of 79. (Ref. 2) The Incas were right when you consider the average lifespan of the population at that time.
The condor appears as a national symbol in the
coat of arms of Bolivia (search for limitless horizons), Chile (force), Colombia (Liberty
and Order), Ecuador (power, greatness and
value). It also appears in the
State Mérida (Venezuela) (about to start flying) and the first
coat of Peru
(1820); as well as the shield of Hispanidad represented by the Eagle
San Juan. The
Andean Condor is a military
emblem Ecuador Navy
Chilean Air Force, and Air Force.
Ancient Peru Shield.
Ancient Peru Shield.
In the current Peru shield condor does not appear because for the representation of the natural resources in the animal kingdom, the vicuna, a species that is also a matter of national pride was chosen.
In Chile appears crowned shield and profile of Colombia takes on an olive branch in its beak, while in Ecuador shown with wings spread. In all cases is represented the natural, attitude and flight with wings spread.
For now, make an imaginary trip to the Colca Valley, Arequipa to see the flight of the condor, lord of the skies. In the next installment we will develop this theme at length.
The Condor has been the subject of inspiration for artists, in the case of music I present a version. Soon extensively develop this theme.
References
Videos en YouTube
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