But condors also range to the coastal deserts and beaches of the Peruvian coast, where marine mammal and bird carcasses provide them with plenty of food. They might nest on high cliffs, and are often seen soaring above PeruвЂ™s deep canyons, such as the Colca Canyon, and around the mountain ranges of the Cusco region. Natural habitatД¬ondor habitat is usually open high mountains up to 5,000 ft. Occasionally, they might hunt for small animals such as rodents and rabbits.

Like vultures, condors are mainly scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of both wild and domesticated animals. The young begin to fly at six months, and they remain with the parents for up to two years. Condors in captivity have lived to over 70 years. However, they are peaceful, highly intelligent creatures that are harmless to humans and most other animals.Д¬ondors are also one of the longest-lived bird species.

Their huge beaks and large talons, and the maleвЂ™s reddish crown, are certainly impressive features that give them a somewhat fearsome appearance. They are mostly black, with a ring of white feathers around their neck. Seeing a condor spread its wings and take flight, one can easily imagine giant prehistoric pterodactyls (although condors are, of course, much smaller). Scientists believe birds are descended from dinosaurs, and the condor certainly looks the part. Unlike many other bird of prey, the females are smaller than the males.Д¬ondor size is impressive, but it is not their only unique characteristic. (3.3 m.), and the maximum weight of males can be up to 33 lb., or 15 kilograms. The Andean condorвЂ™s maximum wingspan has been measured up to 10 ft. The Andean condorД¬ontrary to popular belief, the Andean condor ( Vultur gryphus) is not closely related to vulture species, but it is the only species of its own genus. But combining weight and wingspan, the worldвЂ™s largest bird is the Andean condor, a huge majestic creature that inhabits the Andes Mountains, from Colombia south to Chile and Argentina. Some of the worldвЂ™s largest birds (in wingspan) include pelican and albatross species. Certainly, PeruвЂ™s Andes are a birdwatchers paradise! Andean birds are no exception, with such impressive species as the giant hummingbird ( Patagona gigas), numerous raptor species such as the black-chested turkey buzzard, and many other birds, including ducks, ibis, songbirds, and many more. Surprisingly, the birds spent only 1% of their time aloft flapping their wings - and even then, it was mostly during take-off.Birds are some of the most beautiful and strange animals in the world. The devices recorded each wingbeat over more than 250 hours of flight time. Shepard and colleagues strapped recording equipment, which they called вЂњdaily diariesвЂќ, to eight condors in the Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile. Very little is known about what actually makes these birds work,вЂќ wrote Emily Shepard, co-author of the research, in The Conversation. вЂњWe asked just how little flapping these condors and other soaring birds can get away with, and if there are particular environments or weather conditions that are more costly to fly in. The Andean condor is a national symbol of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and plays an important role in the folklore of the Andean region. According to researchers who strapped measuring tech to the birds, Andean condors can fly over 160 kilometers (100 miles) without flapping their wings once.

But donвЂ™t let its hefty size fool you - this is also one of the most skilled gliders to have ever graced the skies.

The Andean condor has a massive 3-meter wingspan and weighs up to 15 kilograms, making it the worldвЂ™s largest soaring bird.

Andean condor wingspan