
The Critically Endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a member of the New World vulture family (Cathartidae), and has an impressive wingspan of just less than three metres. The featherless head and neck are a reddish-orange colour; a few black feathers sprout from the head and there is a ruff of fine, glossy black feathers around the neck. The neck has an inflatable pouch, which is important in courtship. The plumage is black in colour with large white patches under each wing. Males and females are indistinguishable by size or plumage. Juveniles are grey and adult feathers do not replace this down until the age of five to seven months. Sub-adults retain a grey head until they reach maturity at five to seven years of age, when they acquire the full colouration of an adult. The California condor has a massive wingspan of just under 3 metres. The California condor became Extinct in the Wild (EW) in 1987 when last 8 individuals were taken into captivity. Current threats to the California condor include poisoning from scavening animals killed with lead shot and flying into power lines. California condors generally remain with the same mate for life.