A condor’s wingspan is longer than most cars! An Andean condor’s wingspan can stretch up to 10 feet! Because they’re so large, it’s hard for them to take off from the ground. Instead, they need a running start or to jump from a perch to start flying. 🚗

Condors can fly without flapping their wings! Instead of flapping, they use rising air currents and mountain winds to glide. Andean condors can travel more than 100 miles without flapping, and up to 250 miles in a single day! They’re some of the most energy-efficient flyers on Earth. 🌎

They can safely eat things that would make other animals sick. Their stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve bones and kill dangerous bacteria that may be growing in the dead animals they eat. 🍗

Their heads change colors depending on their mood! A condor’s bald head can turn pink, red, or orange. This is one way they communicate during feeding time. 🟠

Condors can fly as high as 15,000 feet! Most humans would need oxygen tanks to breathe at that height! 🛩️

They sunbath to stay clean! Their bald heads help keep them clean because foot bits and bacteria don’t stick as easily. Sunlight also helps kill germs on their skin and feathers! 🌞

They’re among the longest-living birds on Earth! Condors can live up to 60 years! Part of their long life comes from the care they give their young. Condors lay only one egg every two years and spend a great deal of time raising and teaching each chick. 🥚

Condors have amazing memories. They can remember hundreds of miles of landscape and return to the same cliffs year after year. They can even remember wind patterns and rising air currents. 🗺️

They have clear social order that helps keep their groups organized. This order decides who gets to eat first and which ones get the best rocks and perches. 🍽️

They’re silent giants! Condors don’t have the organ that most birds use to make songs and calls, so they can’t sing or squawk. Instead, they may hiss or grunt, but they are usually very quiet. 🔇