Ecuador Bound

The Condor (Vultur gryphus) is the Ecuador’s national symbol, much like the Eagle in the US. Their numbers are quite small compared to the Eagle’s population. There are only 30 Andean Condors left in Ecuador and one active pair who only lay one egg every 2 years, (Augui & Causay), who reside in Quito’s zoo. Not very good odds for their return.

In Ecuador and Chile Condor means “gold coin”. And the Incas of Peru thought the Condor flew the sun into they sky every morning. They thought it was a messenger to the gods.

These birds are seen as a symbol of power and health. Unfortunately, the native villagers think that their bones and organs have special healing powers or that they give males high virility. Their ground bones are believed to alleviate rheumatism. Many natives eat the stomach of the Andean Condor because they believe it cures breast cancer. The eyes of the Condor are often roasted and eaten to sharpen one’s sight, and their feathers are often placed under sleeping blankets to ward off nightmares.

Reproduction of the Andean Condor

The male begins his courtship display by drawing himself erect, fully extending his wings, and clicking his tongue, while the reddish skin of his neck becomes bright yellow. The birds do not build a nest, but lay their eggs on bare ground on a ledge or in a cave. The female lays a single egg which both parents incubate for about 54 to 58 days. Fledging takes another 180 days, so that a pair breeds onlyevery other year under normal conditions. Parents continue to care for the fledgling for a full year.

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