The Andean Condor is a majestic bird that soars high over the Andes Mountains of
South America. They can live for over fifty years and have the largest wingspan
of any bird in our world. Andean Condors are vultures and live by eating large
carrion such as cattle, deer, llamas, vicunas, or alpacas. These birds are revered
throughout all of South America and have been for centuries.
In Peru, an excellent place to view the Andean Condor is at a spot overlooking
the Colca Canyon - the deepest canyon in the world. One viewing place is known
as Cruz del Condor. The Andean Condors nest on sheer cliff walls below this viewing point
and often rise on thermal updrafts and soar past this site amazingly closely.
These photos of Andean Condors were taken at Cruz del Condor in both late
February and early March of 2009.
Larger version of these Condor photos can be viewed by using a mouse rollover
or using the Slideshow below.
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Cruz del Condor #0705
Cruz del Condor is a viewing site for the Andean Condor. It's perfectly situated above Condor nests located on the sheer cliff below the
viewing site. The site also offers spectacular views up and down as well as deep into the canyon.
Condor #1508
Sometimes the condors fly so closely by that you can hear the wind in their wings.
Condor #0731
Frequently, around 8AM, the Condors ride thermal updrafts from their nesting sites to the rim of the canyon. They often pass within a mere
few meters of the people at the viewing sites.
Condor #1527
Andean Condors nest on sheer cliffs below Cruz del Condor in the Colca Canyon of Peru.
Condor #1528
Condors soar over the canyon searching for carion.
Condor #1529
Andean Condors can live to 50 to 70 years old.
Condor #0702
The Condors have wing spans that can reach 10 feet. They are one of the longest living birds, with lifespans up to 50 years.
Condor #0727
Cruz del Condor is located with Peru's Reserval Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca. Admission is carefully controlled and costs S/35.00 - roughly
$11 as of early 2009.
Colca Overlook #0556
The Colca Canyon could be the deepest canyon in the world, with the Grand Canyon third. Cotahuasi Canyon - also
in Peru - is thought by some to be the deepest.
Condor #1539
The Condors have wing spans that can reach 10 feet. They are one of the longest living birds, with lifespans
up to 50 years.
Condor #1540
Treks down into the Colca Canyon are popular. They begin at Cabanaconde,
a town located at the edge of the canyon.
Condor #1543
The Colca Canyon begins as a lush, deep-green valley that gradually narrows and deepens, cut by the raging
Colca River.
Condor #0734
The Andean Condor is part of the vulture family. As such, its major diet consists of carrion.
One Peak #0682
This is one peak that rises up from the sheer cliff on the opposite side of the canyon from Cruz del Condor.
Condor and Clouds #0774
The Andean Condor has long been part of South American folklore, often considered a symbol of strength and health.
Condor #1545
The adult Andean Condor is black with a large, white ring of feathers at the base of the neck.
Condor #1546
Although primarily a scavenger of large dead animals such as deer, llamas, or alpacas, the Andean Condor will
resort to attacks on living animals when carion cannot be found.
Condor #1562
The Andean Condor is revered throughout Peru and much of South America.
Condor and Mountains #0769
The Condors will sometimes fly so closely past the people watching that the whistle of the wind
through the Condor's wings can be heard.
Condor Perched #0745
The Condors will occasionally perch near the top of the canyon nearby to the people there.
Condors in Clouds #0695
Colca Canyon is so deep it is not unusual to be looking down into clouds that drift between the walls on either side.
Condor #1565
The Andean Condor has the largest wingspan of any bird on earth.
Condor #1570
The Andean Condor nests at elevations above 3,000 meters on sheer cliff walls.
Condor #1572
Unlike birds of prey, the Andean Condor does not have talons that are effective as weapons of attack. Their
feet are more adapted to walking and resemble those of a chicken.
Condors and Clouds #0731
Condors rarely flap their wings, but rather, soar upon the thermal updrafts that occur at the cliffs where they
nest.
Condor #1573
Andean Condors reach sexual maturity at five to six years of age. They mate for life.
Condor #1592
Female Andean Condors will lay one or two eggs every second year.
All photographs are the property of Robert Stephens and TheWorldinLight Photographic Gallery. Unauthorized use or
reproduction is prohibited by US copyright law.
