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Quick answer
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is a giant New World vulture of cliffs and open grasslands from Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego. Males sport a fleshy comb and white neck ruff; adults weigh around 12 kg and soar on Andean thermals scavenging carrion. IUCN lists the species Vulnerable.
Top questions about the Andean Condor
Also available in Español (Cóndor andino)
Andean Condor facts at a glance
- Weight 12 kg
- Length 1.3 m
- Top speed 80 km/h
- Lifespan 50 years
| Scientific name | Vultur gryphus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (carrion) |
| Habitat | High Andes, cliffs, and open grasslands |
| Lifespan | Around 50 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 12 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 80 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cathartiformes |
| Family | Cathartidae |
| Genus | Vultur |
Where it lives
The andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is native to Andes from Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego. — recorded across South America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a andean condor?
An adult andean condor measures 1.3 m long — about 75% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 12 kg, about 17% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of andean condors called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Andean Condors is called a committee.
Baby name
A baby Andean Condor is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Largest soaring bird of the Andes
Wingspans approach 3 m. Males have a comb and wattle; females lack the comb. Like California condors, they have bare heads suited to carcass feeding.
High-country scavenger
Diet is carrion of guanacos, livestock, and marine mammals along coasts. They locate carcasses while soaring and may wait for mammalian scavengers to open tough hides.
Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego
High Andes, cliffs, and open grasslands along the spine of South America from Venezuela south to Tierra del Fuego. Across its range it is tied to high andes, cliffs, and open grasslands, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Vulnerable cultural icon
Persecution as suspected livestock killers, secondary poisoning, and reduced wild ungulate carcasses contribute to Vulnerable status. Cultural reverence coexists with local conflict.
Explore the Andean Condor
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Range & geography
Conservation status of the Andean Condor
The andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Vulnerable (VU) means a species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future. It is the lowest-risk of the three 'threatened' IUCN categories — one step below Endangered, which is itself below Critically Endangered — and is often an early warning that a population is in trouble.
Main threats to the andean condor
- Intentional and accidental poisoning of carrion
- Habitat loss and disturbance
- Collision with power lines
- Persecution near livestock
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2020. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Andean Condor
How do you tell male and female Andean condors apart?
Males have a fleshy comb on the head and tend to be larger; females lack the comb.
What do Andean condors eat?
Carrion — dead guanacos, livestock, and other mammals — not live prey they kill themselves.
Are Andean condors Endangered?
IUCN lists them Vulnerable, with steeper declines in northern parts of the range.
How long do Andean condors live?
They are long-lived; decades are typical, and captive birds may approach 50 years or more.
Where do Andean condors live?
Along the Andes from Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego on cliffs and open high grasslands.
What is a group of andean condors called?
A group of Andean Condors is called a committee.
What is a baby andean condor called?
A baby Andean Condor is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Andean Condor:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Vulnerable) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Vultur gryphus, most recently assessed in 2020.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Vultur gryphus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Vultur gryphus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Andean Condor. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
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