The Andean Condor is a species of South American bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae and is the only member of the genus vultur. Found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America, it is the largest flying land bird in the Western Hemisphere. It is a large black vulture with a ruff of white feathers surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large white patches on the wings. The head and neck are nearly featherless, and are a dull red color, which may flush and therefore change color in response to the bird's emotional state. In the male, there is a wattle on the neck and a large, dark red comb or caruncle on the crown of the head. Unlike most birds of prey, the male is larger than the female. The condor is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion. It prefers large carcasses, such as those of deer or cattle. It reaches sexual maturity at five or six years of age and roosts at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 m (9,800 to 16,000 ft), generally on inaccessible rock ledges. One or two eggs are usually laid. It is one of the world’s longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 50 years. The Andean Condor is a national symbol of Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador, and plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the South American Andean regions. The Andean Condor is considered near threatened by the IUCN. Captive breeding programs have been instituted in several countries.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_Condor

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

987:

Hugh Capet was crowned King of France, becoming the first monarch of the Capetian dynasty, which ruled France continuously until overthrown during the French Revolution in 1792. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Capet

1844:

The last known pair of Great Auks (illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans shown), the only species in the genus Pinguinus, were killed in Eldey off the coast of Iceland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Auk

1863:

Pickett's Charge, a futile Confederate infantry assault against Union Army positions, occurred during the final and bloodiest day of fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg, marking a turning point in the American Civil War. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickett%27s_Charge

1944:

World War II: During their second phase of Operation Bagration, Soviet troops liberated Minsk, present-day Belarus, from Nazi Germany. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk

1988:

United States Navy warship USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

wishy-washy (adj): 1. Wavering; lacking in commitment, certainty, or support. 2. Thin or watery http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wishy-washy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Beyond a certain point there is no return. This point has to be reached. --Franz Kafka http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Franz_Kafka