Asarana condor
Asarana condor | |
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Scientific classification |
The Asarana condor or Parabocan condor is a Euronian condor found in the Asarana Mountains and surrounding mountain ranges of central Euronia. With a maximum wingspan of 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and weight of 15 kg (33 lb), the Asarana condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world, and is generally considered to be the largest bird of prey in the world. 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. The female condor is smaller than the male, an exception to the usual sexual dimorphism seen in birds of prey.
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 nests at elevations of up to 5,000 m (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 over 70 years in some cases.
The Asarana condor is a national symbol of Paraboca, East Chanchajilla, West Chanchajilla, Nual, and the Slavic Union, and plays an important role in the folklore and mythology of the Asarana regions. The Asarana condor is considered vulnerable; it is threatened by habitat loss and by secondary poisoning from lead in carcasses killed by hunters. Captive breeding programs have been instituted in several countries.