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 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
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.
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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