RANGE | Andean condors are found in mountainous regions throughout South America, including the Andes as their name suggests, but also live near coasts with ocean breezes and even deserts that feature strong thermal air currents.

FUN FACTS | The Andean condor is the largest raptor in the world and the largest flying bird in South America. Condors are vultures, so they keep their sharp eyes peeled for the carrion that makes up most of their diet. They prefer to feast on large animals, wild or domestic, and in picking the carcasses, they perform an important function as a natural clean-up crew. Along the coasts, condors will feed on dead marine animals like seals or fish. These birds do not have sharp predator's claws, but they will raid birds' nests for eggs or even young hatchlings.

They are very heavy—up to 33 lbs—so they need to use the powerful muscles in their 10-foot wingspan. These birds will extend those wings and slowly walk in circles, vibrating their throat to make sounds similar to a helicopter.

Veedor was hatched in 1987, as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for endangered species. When funds were cut, he was left without a home. He was housed on the east coast, but came to California during cold winters. He stayed at various facilities, including ours, for several years, until his keeper was no longer able to care for him and we became his forever home.

Veedor loves anything that is new. New boxes, new toys, new furniture—all of it! He is so curious and loves to interact with anything and everything, and then shred it all into little pieces.

For this impressive bird, few toys will survive his powerful beak. Luckily, his favorite enrichment is items made of boxes and tubes that he can knock over, shred and carry around his enclosure. A pyramid of boxes, boxes hung from perches or “prey” made from tubes and bags are his very favorite.