Is The Andean Condor Actually Considered a Bird Of Prey?

We were about to write an article about the largest Bird(s) of Prey when we got hung up on whether or not the Andean Condor falls into that category.  Who could foresee the debate that sparked!? So, here are our findings:

The Andean condor (Vultur Gryphus)  is the largest flying bird in the world. It is often associated with majesty and power, commanding respect due to its humongous size and wingspan. The Andean Condor makes its home in South America, in the Andes Mountains. Because of its size and weight - up to 15 kg! - it needs some height to start with on take-off. Think a hang glider pushing off the mountain - that's the Andean Condor. It is usually classified as a bird of prey but there has been some argument in the scientific community as to whether it really fits this classification. In exploring this argument it’s essential we define the characteristics of a bird of prey, its diet and feeding habits, and also to consider its ecological role. 

Birds of Prey, or Raptors, are defined by several Basic Characteristics:

• Carnivorous diet: Raptors hunt and feed on other animals, ranging from insects and birds to mammals.
• Excellent Vision: Raptors possess unparalleled eyesight allowing them to see prey from great distances.
• Active Hunters: Raptors are active hunters, seeking and capturing live prey.
• Sharp Talons and Beak: Raptors use their sharp talons to catch and kill their prey and have a hooked beak devised for tearing the flesh of their catch.

Birds of prey include eagles, owls, hawks and falcons. All of these birds share the previous traits listed. Vultures are often included in the list of birds of prey, although many question if they are truly raptors. as they are known as scavengers that usually eat already dead animals.

Feeding Habits and Drive

The diet and feeding habits of the Andean Condor is mostly that of a scavenger, much like a vulture. It hunts for carrion, or dead and often decaying animals, such as livestock, deer, or small mammals, whether they died of natural causes or are left overs from another animal’s kill. The Andean Condor does not possess the active drive and predatory behaviours usually associated with raptors like hawks and eagles.

Physical Characteristics

The Andean Condor possesses many of the same physical traits as a bird of prey. It has the same large hooked beak to tear the flesh of the carrion it eats. The talons are not as sharp or strong as those of a typical raptor because it doesn’t need to grip or kill live prey, like an eagle or falcon does.

The Andean Condor is well know for its spectacular soaring ability. With a wingspan that can reach over 3 metres, it is able to fly over great distances, catching thermal winds to soar barely flapping its wings. This conserves its energy and enables it to stay aloft longer and cover greater distances in search of food. Birds of prey are also able to soar to great heights and catch thermals to stay aloft in order to search for food. The condor is not nearly as fast or agile and other raptors since it doesn’t need to catch live prey. This fact further sets it apart from other more agile, skillful and faster predators that make up the raptor category.

The condor has excellent vision, similar to other raptors, in that it can see great distances from high altitudes in order to spot its next meal. The Andean Condor is vital to the ecosystem for cleaning up the environment by eating the dead and rotting animals and preventing disease from being spread. The condor, like the vulture, has incredibly strong digestive acids that kill most bacteria and fungi. The intestinal flora of these incredible birds do the rest of the job. Andean Condors also enjoy a very strong immune system. Although it is not a predator in the traditional sense, as part of Mother Nature's clean-up crew, it still contributes significantly to the role of balancing the ecosystem, much like raptors do by controlling the populations of smaller mammals and insects.

Vulture = Bird of Prey

The primary reason the Andean Condor is considered a bird of prey is because it is a member of the vulture family and vultures are considered birds of prey. Neither of them actively hunt for prey, or typically consume fresh prey, they do have most of the other characteristics of other birds of prey.

Andean Condor - The Odd One Out

Having said this, there is one feature that separates the Andean Condor from other raptors: the male is larger than the female; and the male has a comb on the crown of its head - much like that of a turkey, and a wattle on its neck. In all other birds of prey the  female is typically about 30% larger and there are no other defining characteristics that allow you to make a distinction between male and female by looking at them (until the female actually lays eggs).

The Verdict

In scientific terms, the Andean Condor and other scavengers like vultures are considered Birds of Prey. The distinction of being a scavenger does not preclude it from being a raptor. In times of food scarcity eagles and other raptors may also sometimes eat carrion.

Although the Andean Condor differs from traditional Birds of Prey in terms of its feeding behaviour and the defining characteristics of the male condor, it is considered to be a bird of prey because of its biological and ecological characteristics. While the condor play a slightly different role in the ecosystem than other raptors, its role in nature and its physical traits still align with the broader definition of a Birds of Prey. The Andean Condor has very similar evolutionary adaptations and, like other raptors, plays a vital role in keeping the ecosystem in balance. So, YES, the Andean Condor is considered a bird pf prey.

Learn more about Birds of Prey with Hawkeye

Did you know? Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control offers up close and personal encounters with a variety of birds of prey. During the warmer months you'll be able to have a hawk fly to and from your arm, while the colder months are reserved for visits with owls and eagles. Check out our Falconry, Owl, or Eagle Experiences (you can book online!) and come visit us to learn more!