The Mighty Andean Condor: Bolivia for Kids

The Andean Condor is the largest of the condor/vulture family and is the biggest flying bird in the world. The Andean Condor is found in South America. The countries where you will be able to see this big bird are Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. You can also find them in parts of Venezuela and Colombia, but they are fairly rare in these last two countries.


The Andean Condor has a wingspan of 3.2 meters (10.5 feet) and weights about 33 pounds as an adult. The Andean Condor is a carnivore but it's a scavenger and will primarily feed on carrion or decaying flesh (yuck). The condor is about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) in height. Adult Andean Condors have no natural predators; however, the chicks are usually preyed upon by other Andean Condors and snakes.



Andean Condors have great eyesight and sometimes can be seen in small groups. They usually stay away from people. To help find their food they use their great eyesight and also look also look for clues such as other condors gathering in one area or circling the sky.

You might be surprised to know that when condors fly they usually glide through the skies and only need to flap their wings once every hour. The reason condors and vultures are bald is because their head feathers would get too messy and in their eyes while their heads are inside a carcass when they are eating dead meat.

Condors have a very high tolerance to harmful bacteria. To attract a mate the male Andean Condor will spread his wings, click his tongue, and his neck will turn yellowish.