Andean condor – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

Andean condor

Vultur gryphus
VU

IUCN status
Vulnerable
Find out more

Andean condor – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

« Carried by the winds of the Andes, the condor can soar for hours with barely a flap of its wings »

The Andean condor

A giant of the mountain peaks

The Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world. This South American vulture rules the skies above the Andes and the Pacific coast, soaring in search of carcasses. Its black plumage is distinguished by a broad ruff of white feathers around its neck and pale markings on its wings. As a scavenger, it plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of its ecosystem. You can discover it among the many species featured in Beauval’s animal directory.

Andean condor – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

Did you know?

Pachamama has taken flight in the Argentinian skies!

An incredibly emotional moment

Pachamama, a young female Andean condor born at Beauval in August 2020, has been released into the wild in Argentina along with six other birds. This is the largest release of condors ever carried out in the country!

After spending a few months adapting to her new environment in Patagonia, Pachamama, who wears number 74, has taken flight.

Born at Beauval, released in Patagonia

Classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN, the Andean condor is experiencing population declines, particularly as a result of poisoned carcasses. In some areas, these are deliberately poisoned by livestock farmers attempting to control predators.

Through Beauval Nature, ZooParc de Beauval supports the Andean condor conservation programme, run in Argentina by the Bioandina Foundation. The programme combines in situ species protection, breeding and the reintroduction of individuals into the wild.

Beauval has made an important contribution to these efforts. Born at the ZooParc on 1 August 2020, Pachamama was the very first Andean condor to hatch at Beauval, a particularly special event given how challenging breeding can be for the species.

Raised by her parents, she travelled to Argentina before being released into the wild in Patagonia on 17 September 2021 alongside six other condors, as part of the largest condor reintroduction ever organised in the country. The released birds were fitted with satellite GPS transmitters so that their movements and behaviour in the wild could be monitored and studied.

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Andean condor – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

Where can you see the Andean condor at ZooParc de Beauval?

At ZooParc de Beauval, the Andean condor is one of the impressive large birds you can discover during your visit. Find its location on the ZooParc map and take the time to admire its remarkable wingspan, especially when it spreads its wings.

The Andean condors are currently located in the northern part of the ZooParc, close to The Great South American Aviary. 

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Andean condor – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval
Condor des Andes - Animaux extraordinaires du ZooParc
Andean condor – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval
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Learn more about the species

Range
South America
  • Diet
    Scavenger
  • Incubation
    Between 50 and 60 days
  • Clutch size
    1 egg (approximately every 2 years)
  • Habitat
    Mountains

One of the world’s largest flying birds
The Andean condor is one of the most imposing flying birds on the planet. Males can weigh up to 15 kg, while females can reach almost 11 kg, a considerable weight for an animal capable of flight. It is precisely this size that makes soaring so important. Rather than relying solely on the power of its wings to take off and remain airborne, the condor makes extensive use of air currents.

Male and female: visible differences
Male and female Andean condors display several noticeable differences. As adults, both have a ruff of white feathers around the neck, but the male, which is generally larger, has a distinctive fleshy crest on top of its head that is absent in the female. Their iris colour also differs: brown in males and red in females. These characteristics make the two sexes relatively easy to distinguish.

A very slow reproductive cycle
The Andean condor has a particularly slow reproductive cycle. The female generally lays a single egg, and a pair will often breed only once every two to three years. After almost two months of incubation, shared by both parents, the chick remains dependent for a long period before eventually taking flight on its own. On the other hand, the species is among the longest-lived birds, with some individuals living for more than 50 years. This slow reproductive rate makes every successful hatch particularly important for the survival of the species.

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