Condor Nestlings Growing Up Fast!

This spring in Big Sur we have two active condor nests on the coast and two inland. Both coastal chicks hatched at the end of April, and both are in the tops of ancient, burned redwood trees.

The first to hatch on the coast was chick number 842. This chick was born to a trio of birds – Female 534, managed by Pinnacles National Park, and males 204 “Amigo”, and 470 “Fuego”. Only time - and a blood test - will tell which bird is the father. All three birds share incubating and chick rearing duties – with three parents we hope this chick will thrive! 842’s redwood home is nestled in a grove high above the Big Sur coast, and the inside of the nest is not visible. However, based on the attentive behavior of the parents, we suspect that this chick is doing well.

Nestling 838 in the redwood nest cavity (lower center)
with Mom (Condor 418) perched above

Our other 2016 nestling is number 838, born to parents 351 and 418, both birds released by Pinnacles National Park that have relocated and lived in Big Sur for years. This nest, luckily, is one we can peak into using a scope. It’s a steep, brushy hike, but from the right vantage point we can see little 838 flapping his wings, playing with sticks, and begging for food from his parents.  

The two inland nestlings, 828 and 835, are also progressing well. Both hatched in caves in early April in Pinnacles National Park (828) and the other in the Ventana Wilderness (835).   The parents of both nestlings are considered 'veterans' and have nested before. Nestling 828's parents are male 340 and female 236 "Tiny" and 835's parents are male 219 "Puff Daddy" and female 310.  

We anticipate these four nestlings to start fledging as early as October 2016, so stay tuned for more updates! Until then, tune in to the Condor Cam and try to spot wild condors at our release site.

Wild Times!

Princess with her green "99" wing ID tag

Princess (#799) and the other 2015 wild fledged birds (#773, 787, & 789)  continue to thrive in Big Sur.  They are "regulars" on the condor cam and were spotted more recently exploring the Big Sur coastline.

Untagged bird (we presume #787 or #789)

Currently, untagged condors 787 and 789 are only discernible by subtle differences in feather growth patterns and their true identities won't be known until we obtain a blood sample for DNA analyses.  Obtaining DNA will require trapping them, which we hope happens in the next couple weeks...fingers crossed. Once the DNA confirms their identity we will attach a colored ID number tag and transmitter.
Do we really have to tag them? For now, yes, it's especially important that we know what happens to wild-raised condors, they represent the future of the flock. Until next time...

This photo shows the subtle differences between the two untagged birds

A New Addition!

Last week, VWS Biologists were excited to be able to confirm the existence of a second untagged juvenile! This chick is believed to be Condor #789, the offspring of Condors #199 and #438. Biologists were at the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary watching Condor #787 (a confirmed tagless juvenile, aka “Sky”) perched next to one of her moms when another untagged bird flew past! 
The next day Condor #199, who we suspect to be the new chick’s father, pushed all the other birds off of a calf carcass on the release slope and stood guard, giving his chick a chance to feed uninterrupted. 

Condor #789 was born in a redwood nest deep in the Ventana Wilderness. Because of the inaccessibility and remoteness of the nest, biologists were unable to visit it to determine if the chick hatched and fledged successfully. This chick was successfully fledged with absolutely no human intervention or assistance – completely wild! The mystery chick’s true identity will not be confirmed until biologists are able to capture it and perform a blood test to determine his or her parentage and sex.  Until then keep an eye on the condor cams, you may be able to spot her or our other untagged juvenile, Condor #787!

Fuego stealth no more!

Fuego displays his vibrant head-neck colors

VWS Biologists attach new transmitters

The VWS Condor team successfully trapped Fuego (#470) this past week and replaced his non-functioning radio transmitters. As part of a collaborative effort with the Pinnacles Condor Team, Fuego and other condors are being rounded up right now for routine transmitter replacements and blood lead checks.  Fortunately, Fuego and others tested low in blood lead and were released back to the wild. But that wasn't the case for all, seven condors were sent to captivity to be treated for lead poisoning. Thanks to the support of our partners at LA and Oakland Zoos, the lead-sick condors are given first class care and treatment by dedicated veterinarians and keeper staff.  All seven condors appear to be recovering well and we anticipate their return to the wild in the coming weeks.

Fuego is cleared for take off!

Fuego flies free once again

Shadow (#209) takes flight after testing low in lead

Photos courtesy of www.webnectar.com

Girl Power!

Photo of Chick #787 shortly after hatch

We documented yet another fascinating display of condor survival this nest season. Condor females 317 and 171 have been working together to raise a chick in the wild in a nest cave in an extremely remote location in Big Sur. Ca.  VWS Biologists were only able to access the nest twice due to its remoteness.  On the final nest check, they left a trail camera behind to capture the wild hatching process, an event never captured on film.  Biologists hoped this camera would capture a time lapse sequence of the chick hatching and eventual fledging from the nest cave.  

Females #171 and #317 join forces

Biologists are also curious to see how two females will raise a wild chick without a male present. They believe that the two females joined forces after the suspected male mate, #242,to one of the females died shortly after nesting began. Condors parents do most of the rearing, but they also get help from other condors in the flock.  This could be the case with this pair, one female lost her mate and another came in to assist for the greater good of the flock.  

This time lapse video captures nest activity from 4/10/2015-5/27/2015. The chick eventually grew big enough to knock over the camera.  VWS biologists believe the chick, #787 (sex unknown), has fledged and will eventually emerge to join the rest of the flock in the coming months.  

An Old Friend Visits Home!

Adult female condor, #192, returned to the Big Sur release site at the end of August for a brief visit. This was her first visit "home" in almost 5 years. Condor #192 was released in Big Sur in 1999 and spent her formative years along the Big Sur Coast. In 2006, she dispersed to southern California where she paired up with male Condor AC-9, an original member of the historic population, and began nesting. Since then she and her mate have produced multiple offspring and they are even raising a chick this year.  This fact and the distance she had to fly made her visit that much more amazing to us. She made a one-way flight of over 250 miles! 

192 hanging with the Big Sur flock

192 taking in the coast

After feeding and spending a couple days with Big Sur Flock she eventually returned to her nest site in southern California.  If her mate only knew where she had gone, what a flight! It was great to see her again, if only briefly. 

Southern Exposure

GPS Data for 567 and 477

A group of condors made their way south last week to visit the southern California flock. This group of birds included 663, 463, 477, 567, 231, and possibly a few others. Although brief, their trip was an encouraging sign. We hope to see a lot more southern exposure in the future.  

Redwood nestling doing well

Veterinarian Amy Wells conducts a physical exam on 799

     60 day old Condor Nestling 799 (Chick of Condors #167 and #190) passed his first nest check with flying colors! Biologists tested his blood for lead poisoning, did a physical check, and checked the nest for trash and all looked well with 799. Great job Mom and Dad!
Stay tuned...799's final nest check is schedule for the end of August.
We have 5 wild nestlings still going strong this year, let's hope they stay out of harms way and continue to succeed.

Mystery Unraveled!

       We finally caught Mystery! Condor #769, also known as Mystery, showed up for the first time on our release slope this last winter. She was raised and fledged without any assistance from VWS Biologists. After several months flying around without transmitters, Condor #769 was trapped during our spring trap up!!
After a blood test biologists were able to determine that Mystery is a girl and that her biological parents are male 242 "Red" and female 311 "Loner" . We are very excited Mystery is a girl because we have so many young males in our flock.
After getting a vaccination, a brand new transmitter, and passing her lead test, Condor #769 was released back into the wild.  Keep your eye out as you are driving the coast, you might just be lucky enough to see her. Her tag is a Green 69. Good luck Mystery, fly free!!