Bringing the California Condor Home

California condors are the largest flying birds in North America. They once soared across Western North America, from Canada to Mexico (see "Condors: Then and Now" map, below). But their population started to decline in the mid-1800s when many settlers moved to the Western United States. Some condors were hunted for sport, while logging wiped out many of the trees in their habitat. But their biggest threat was—and still is—lead poisoning.

Condors are scavengers, meaning that they don’t kill other animals—they feed on those that are already dead. But if a condor feeds on the remains of a creature that was killed with lead bullets, the bird could die. Why? Lead is a soft metal, and bullets made out of it can fragment into hundreds of pieces upon impact. If a condor consumes even a tiny piece of the poisonous metal, that is enough to kill it.  

By the early 1980s, just 22 condors were left in the wild. In an effort to save the species, the U.S. government approved a program to capture all remaining condors and breed them in wildlife facilities. Within a few years, scientists were able to start releasing some condors into their natural habitat. 

Today the number of condors in the wild has risen to about 350. But those birds mainly live in the central and southern parts of what was once their natural habitat. Inspired by the growing population, the Yurok Tribe was determined to do something similar farther north.

California condors are the largest flying birds in North America. They once soared across Western North America, from Canada to Mexico (see "Condors: Then and Now" map, below). But their population started to shrink in the mid-1800s. That is when many settlers moved to the Western United States. Some condors were hunted for sport. And logging wiped out many of the trees in their habitat. But their biggest threat was lead poisoning. It still is.

Condors are scavengers. This means they do not kill other animals. They feed on those that are already dead. But if a condor feeds on the remains of a creature that was killed with lead bullets, the bird could die. Why? Lead is a soft metal. Bullets made from it can split into hundreds of pieces upon impact. If a condor eats even a tiny piece of the poisonous metal, that is enough to kill it.

By the early 1980s, just 22 California condors were left in the wild. So the U.S. government tried to save the species. It approved a program to capture all remaining condors and breed them in wildlife facilities. Within a few years, scientists were able to start releasing some condors into their natural habitat.

Today the number of California condors in the wild has risen to about 350. But those birds mainly live in the central and southern parts of what was once their natural habitat. The Yurok Tribe was inspired by the growing population. Its members were determined to do something similar farther north.

Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, the Yurok Tribe built a condor management and release facility on a hilltop in Redwood National Park. The park is an ideal location, experts say. Its towering redwood trees provide ample space for the giant birds to rest and build nests when they’re not searching for food.

The facility receives condors from zoos and wildlife breeding facilities. It pairs birds being prepared for release with older ones. Condors are social animals that learn from one another. The older birds show the younger ones how to forage for food and to nest.

After the condors master those skills—usually in a few months—they are ready for release. Their wings are tagged with identification numbers and location transmitters so scientists can monitor them. 

Once the birds are set free, Yurok members set out food for them near the release facility. This ensures that the condors will return to the area, which allows wildlife experts to give them occasional health checkups. 

The Yurok Tribe worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. They built a condor management and release facility on a hilltop in Redwood National Park. The park is an ideal location, experts say. It has tall redwood trees that provide plenty of space for the giant birds. Condors can rest and build nests there when they are not searching for food.

The facility receives condors from zoos and wildlife breeding facilities. It pairs birds being prepared for release with older birds. Condors are social animals that learn from one another. The older birds show the younger ones how to forage for food and how to nest.

The condors usually master those skills in a few months. After that, they are ready for release. Their wings are tagged with identification numbers and location transmitters. This is so scientists can monitor them.

Once the birds are set free, Yurok members set out food for them near the release facility. This ensures that the condors will return to the area. Then wildlife experts can give them occasional health checkups.

The released condors are already benefiting Redwood National Park’s ecosystem, experts say. The birds use their powerful beaks to tear through the tough hides of deer, elk, and even whales. This gives smaller, weaker scavengers access to food as well.  

And by quickly consuming animal carcasses, condors help prevent the spread of disease to humans and other animals. For this reason, the Yurok Tribe holds great respect for the species. Members honor the birds’ contribution to the environment by using their fallen feathers in cultural ceremonies. 

“[The California condor’s] job is to keep our prayers going and to keep our [environment] clean,” Susie Long, a Yurok Tribe elder, told reporters. “It’s not just to be a bird.”

The released condors are already helping Redwood National Park’s ecosystem, experts say. The birds use their powerful beaks to tear through the tough hides of deer, elk, and even whales. This gives smaller, weaker scavengers access to food as well.

Also, condors quickly eat animal carcasses. This helps prevent the spread of disease to humans and other animals. For this reason, the Yurok Tribe holds great respect for the species. Members honor the birds’ contribution to the environment by using their fallen feathers in cultural ceremonies.

“[The California condor’s] job is to keep our prayers going and to keep our [environment] clean,” Susie Long, a Yurok Tribe elder, told reporters. “It’s not just to be a bird.”

The Yurok Tribe plans to release four to six condors into Redwood National Park each year for the next two decades. Their next release is planned for this fall. 

In the meantime, the Yurok Tribe and others are working to protect the condors that are already flying free. They educate people about the dangers of lead. They encourage hunters to switch to other types of bullets, such as copper, which are safer for scavengers.

“Condors take a lot of work [to protect] right now because everything that hurts the planet eventually trickles up to them,” says Williams-Claussen. “Our goal is to get the world back in shape so we don’t have to manage condors anymore. Because that means that the world is healthy—not only for condors, but for everybody.” 

The Yurok Tribe plans to release four to six condors into Redwood National Park each year for the next two decades. Their next release is planned for this fall.

In the meantime, the Yurok Tribe and others are working to protect the condors that are already flying free. They educate people about the dangers of lead. They encourage hunters to switch to other types of bullets, such as copper. That kind is safer for scavengers.

“Condors take a lot of work [to protect] right now because everything that hurts the planet eventually trickles up to them,” says Williams-Claussen. “Our goal is to get the world back in shape so we don’t have to manage condors anymore. Because that means that the world is healthy—not only for condors, but for everybody.”