Latin name: Vultur gryphus

King of the Sky!

• Its bald head is adapted to the way it feeds: this bird plunges its head inside rotting animal carcasses. The absence of feathers reduces grooming time! 

• By using warm air currents and its 3,2 m wingspan, the condor can remain in flight for hours, beating its wings only once every hour. Individuals have been witnessed flying to heights of 5,5 km by riding thermal air currents. 

• This bird possesses a piercing eyesight that allows it to locate preys several kilometers away. 

• Since the dawn of time, it has been an integral part of South American traditions: it represents a symbol of the soul's liberation in funeral rites. 

• It is falsely thought by some breeders that it attacks cattle. Some birds die from eating carcasses that were intentionally poisoned to keep foxes and mountain lions at bay.