Gymnogyps varonai (SciiFii)

The Cuban condor (Gymnogyps varonai) is a species of large New World vulture in the family Cathartidae that originally lived in Cuba during the late Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to Cuba to help boost biodiversity. The Cuban condor is related to the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) and the extinct ''Gymnogyps kofordi, either one of which it may have evolved from. The Cuban condor is purely carnivorous and primarily feasts upon carcasses from large mammals such as ground sloths. The Cuban condor has a robust build and is overall slightly larger than the California condor. When in flight, Cuban condors move remarkably gracefully. The lack of a large sternum to anchor their correspondingly large flight muscles restricts them to being primarily soarers. The birds flap their wings when taking off from the ground, but after attaining a moderate elevation they largely glide, sometimes going for miles without a single flap of their wings. They have been known to fly up to speeds of 90 km/h (56 mph) and as high as 4,600 m (15,100 ft). They prefer to roost on high perches from which they can launch without any major wing-flapping effort. Often, these birds are seen soaring near rock cliffs, using thermals to aid them in keeping aloft. The Cuban condor has a long life span, reaching up to 60 years. If it survives to adulthood, the condor has few natural threats other than humans. Because they lack a syrinx, their vocal display is limited to grunts and hisses. Cuban condors bathe frequently and can spend hours a day preening their feathers. Cuban condors also perform urohidrosis, or defecate on their legs, to reduce their body temperature. There is a well-developed social structure within large groups of Cuban condors, with competition to determine a pecking order decided by body language, competitive play behavior, and a variety of hisses and grunts. This social hierarchy is displayed especially when the birds feed, with the dominant birds eating before the younger ones. The conservation status of the Cuban condor is Endangered due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Cuban condor is a protected species and is making a comeback.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii