Condor Watch Talk

Close Up of Condor Clamping into a Carcass at Ground Level

  • wreness by wreness moderator

    You can actually see the condor beginning to take a bite out of this carcass here. Here's the large photo.

    Condors don't have sharp talons on their feet, like predators do, which they could use to tear and shred their way into their food. They have long "toenails" which are more adapted for walking and running. Condors, like all scavengers, use their sharp, hooked beaks and brute force to rip carrion apart and crack into small bones. Their wings and legs are powerful and assist in giving them leverage to pull.

    Their long, flexible necks are solid muscle - they can bend them all the way backwards placing their heads flat on their backs, up against the underside of their bellies (they are fastidious groomers!), twist upside down and get into places we don't even want to think about.

    The real strength lies in their sharp, hooked beaks that tear and rip, and are the "business end" of condors.

    The roof of their beak are also ribbed and textured for extra ripping and traction for pulling soft, internal tissues.

    This camera at this location is the only one placed at ground-level (unless some critter knocked a camera over, temporarily, accidentally on purpose) where we get to see things so closely. Many comments are made about how unique this is and everyone enjoys this especially since you can see so much detail on feathers, feet and even faces. It's like being right there with them, but without the smell. 😃

    Posted