Andean Condor - Photo of the Day - January 4, 2011

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"Andean Condor"

The Andean Condor is the largest flying bird in the Western hemisphere, with a wingspan of 3 m and a weight of 9 - 12 kg. These large wings allow the condors to soar on rising thermals of air when looking for food, and the ruff of white feathers around their neck acts like a scarf to keep them warm when flying at such heights. Like many vultures, Andean condors have featherless heads to prevent parasites latching on from the carcasses they are feeding on. On top of that, males and females look very different. The males have a large, fleshy comb on their head and their eyes are brown whereas female's eyes are garnet red.

Photo taken at the Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta.

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