California Condor

vulture · endangered · comeback story · California

Massive flying bird. The California condor is the largest bird that flies over North America, with a wingspan that can stretch nearly 10 feet wide, much bigger than a tall adult's armspan.

Once completely wild gone. By 1987, every single California condor had vanished from nature, so scientists captured the last nine birds alive to save them from disappearing forever.

Coming back to sky. Thanks to careful breeding programs, these condors have been released back into the wild skies over Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico, where people can spot them soaring above mountains.

Scavenger with a job. California condors eat animals that are already dead, which helps keep nature clean and healthy by removing carcasses from mountains and canyons.

Still in serious trouble. Even with all the rescue work, California condors are listed as critically endangered because they're still one of the rarest large birds on Earth.