The Vulture gryphus, otherwise known as the Andean condor, is the largest flying bird in the Andes Mountains. It is considered an endangered species. The condor is classified as a bird. It lives in the Andes Mountains and along the coast of Peru and Argentina. Its body is covered with long black feathers and white upper wings. A collar of white feathers surrounds the base of the neck. This collar stands out because it is thicker and fluffier than the other feathers. Its wingspan is about ten feet. The Andean condor usually weighs up to 20-25 pounds.

Two birds were observed for about five minutes. One was perched on a rock, the other was walking around. When a picture was taken of the one on the ground, it started to run around in circles. It was really funny. When we started talking, it ran up right to the fence and we got a great picture. While we were watching the one on the ground, the other bird on the rock stood up and spread out his wings. His wingspan was very wide and it was really cool to be able to see it.

The condor has a very important job. It helps clean up the earth by eating dead carcasses.

The condor lives in the Western Hemisphere. In the wild, the condor spends much of its day resting on high perches. The condor doesn't build nests. Instead, its eggs are laid in caves, holes, or among boulders. A female Andean condor reproduces only every second year, laying one or two eggs. The condor is a powerful, graceful flier. It can soar and glide for long distances, flapping its wings an average of only once an hour. It may search the ground for food as it flies. Like other vultures, the condor eats the remains of dead animals.

Some adaptations of the condor are its wings and beak. The condor's wings help him soar around looking for food. The wingspan is about ten feet. The condor's beak has hooks on the end to help tear apart the dead carcasses it eats.