Did you see a California condor in San Diego?

There are several large bird species flying over the skies of San Diego County, but a California condor can be easily distinguished from other birds if you know what features to look for when you spot a bird. Start by looking for a numbered tag attached to its wings (see bottom photo).

Then consider this:

• Turkey vultures and golden eagles are the birds most often confused with condors. A condor has large white stripes on the inside of its wings, whereas the golden eagle and turkey vulture have white on the wingtips rather than a thick white stripe. (See graphic at right).
• A mature California condor’s white stripe is brighter than that of an immature or juvenile condor. A mature condor also has a featherless pink head while an immature bird has a featherless black head.
  

The size of the wingspan is another giveaway to the bird species. The turkey vulture has the smallest wingspan of the three species at only 6 feet (1.8 meters). The golden eagle comes second with a 7-foot (2.1 meter) wingspan, while the California condor has a 9- to 10-foot (2.7- to 3-meter) wingspan. If the bird is too high to really determine its wing size, look at the shape of the wings. In the graphic at right, note the slight bend in the turkey vulture’s wings, this does not occur in a condor’s wings.

If you do see a California condor let us know by sending a message with this form.

Please tell us as much information as you can, including the identifying tag number, the location, how many condors were there, was it flying or on the ground, was it eating or resting, etc. Your observation is key to our research so thank you and happy bird watching!

Reminder: The California condor is a critically endangered species, meaning it is highly protected by the federal government. Condors should not be approached and attempting to feed the birds may result in the birds' return to captivity permanently . If you see one please let us know, but do not try to interact with it or inhibit its actions. The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, along with the entire California Condor Recovery Team, is working diligently to help this species return to its native habitat throughout California and south into Baja California, Mexico. Human interaction can interfere with its return to our skies, so please observe them from afar and help us welcome California’s largest bird species back into San Diego.

More

News Archive: Wild California Condor Flies from Mexico to U.S., Condor Now in San Diego County; Free-flying Condors in Mexico Reach Historic Milestone; Pair Lays Project's First Egg

Reintroduction of the California Condor to Baja California
California Condor Recovery Program
Milestones in California Condor Conservation
California Condors Soon To Soar In San Diego Skies; Public Can Aid Researchers
California Condor Newsletter Signup