California Condor Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCalifornia Condor
Adult
Very large with long, broad wings with long "fingers." Adult is black with striking white patches under the wings.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 04, 2011Immature
Immature has a dark head and mottled patches under the wings.
© Kyle Lima / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 09, 2017Adult
North America's largest bird species. Adult is black with a pinkish head and neck. A captive breeding program started in the 1980s, when only 22 California Condors remained, brought this species back from the brink of extinction.
© Andrea C / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 03, 2022Adult
North America's largest bird, weighing over 15 pounds and with a wingspan of 9 feet.
© Whitney Tsai / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 09, 2019Immature
In 1987, this species numbered just 22 individuals, which were brought into captivity for a successful breeding program. Still critically endangered, the species has been reintroduced into the wild and now numbers in the hundreds.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 19, 2018Adult
Soars on very long and broad wings with its "fingers" extended and rarely flaps.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 26, 2012Immature
Immature birds take 6–8 years to reach full maturity.
© Jeff Langford / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 20, 2015Adult
Adult has a bare pink-and-orange head surrounded by a "feather boa."
Immature
Often perches on cliff edges, where this massive bird can more easily take flight.
© Mary McSparen / Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 27, 2019Similar SpeciesTurkey Vulture
Adult (Northern)
Turkey Vultures are smaller than California Condors with white (not black) primaries and secondaries.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 01, 2017Similar SpeciesTurkey Vulture
Adult (Northern)
Turkey Vultures are smaller than California Condors with a feathered neck.
© Abhishek Kambhampati / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 09, 2017Similar SpeciesGolden Eagle
Adult
Golden Eagles are smaller than California Condors and lack the continuous white patches on the inner wing that Condors have.
© Jeff Bleam / Macaulay LibraryNevada, April 06, 2017Similar SpeciesBald Eagle
Adult
Bald Eagles are smaller than California Condors with a white head and tail.
© Steven Mlodinow / Macaulay LibraryColorado, January 10, 2017Similar SpeciesRed-tailed Hawk
Adult (borealis)
Red-tailed Hawks are smaller than California Condors with much shorter wings.
© Jonathan Eckerson / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 18, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
New World Vultures(Order: Cathartiformes, Family: Cathartidae)
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