California Condor

Gymnogyps californianus

Explore this bird

Identification

113-138 cm (45-55") Rare - almost extinct. Mountains of southern California.

Adults have yellowish orange heads whereas immatures have dusky heads.

Details in the field

2 photos

Credit: Bookis Smuin

Watch and learn

1 video

California Condor

Credit: Don DesJardin

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 3 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: Mainly on the wings · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How did the bird hold its wings in flight ?: Held straight with the horizon · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Goose-sized · Larger than a goose
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:397-california-condor:1:1 Source: 397 California Condor, row 1

Rule 2 10 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: None · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Goose-sized · Larger than a goose
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:397-california-condor:2:1 Source: 397 California Condor, row 2

1 rule

Rule 1 10 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: None · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark
How BIG was the bird ?: Goose-sized · Larger than a goose
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:397-california-condor:3:1 Source: 397 California Condor, row 3