Are there condors in Monterey?

The California condor is the largest flying land bird in North America. With a wingspan of up to 10 feet, these majestic birds once ranged throughout the American West coast. However, due to habitat loss, poaching, and lead poisoning, the California condor population dwindled to just 22 birds in 1982 (1). Since then, extensive conservation efforts have helped bring the wild population back from the brink of extinction. Today, there are over 300 California condors living in the wild (2). But are any of these rare birds found in Monterey, California?

Quick Facts on the California Condor

• The California condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world. Males can weigh up to 23 pounds and have a wingspan of 9.5 feet (3).
• These scavengers can live for 60 years or more in the wild (4).
• Condors are very social and mate for life (5).
• They are slow reproductive, often only raising one chick every two years once they reach maturity at age 6 (6).
• California condors are critically endangered. As of 2019, there were 463 condors total, with 304 living in the wild (7).
• Wild condors now only live in California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California in Mexico. Some have been reintroduced in these areas through breeding programs (8).

Current Range of the California Condor

In 1987, all remaining wild California condors were captured temporarily for a captive breeding program. No condors lived in the wild between 1987-1992. Since then, there have been reintroduction programs to return California condors to parts of their historic range (9).

The current California condor population in the wild is divided into different flocks:

• Central California flock – This is the biggest wild group, with over 100 condors living around Pinnacles National Park and along the Big Sur coast. Condors were first released here in 1997 (10).
• Southern California flock – About 60 condors are found around the Los Padres National Forest and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Reintroduction started in 2002 (11).
• Arizona flock – Roughly 80 condors now inhabit the region around the Grand Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs, and Zion National Park after reintroductions began in 1996 (12).
• Baja California flock – Around 30 condors live in and around Sierra San Pedro Mártir National Park in Mexico. Releases started in 2002 (13).
• Utah flock – A newer reintroduced flock established in 2013 is now home to around 10 condors (14).

With their total population still under 500 and breeding still limited to human recovery programs, the California condor remains endangered. But reintroduction efforts have expanded their range back to parts of the western U.S. and Mexico.

Condors in Monterey, California

Monterey County lies within the current range of the central California condor flock. Condors reintroduced to Pinnacles National Park frequently fly along the forested mountains and coastal habitat around Big Sur, south of Monterey (15).

Juvenile condors fitted with GPS trackers have recorded locations around iconic Monterey landmarks like Point Lobos, Bixby Creek Bridge, and Toro Park. There are also occasional sightings of untagged condors in the Monterey area, likely drawn by the abundant food sources like marine mammal carcasses. However, Monterey is at the northern periphery of the condors’ range, so sightings are more infrequent than places like Big Sur.

Overall, condors do inhabit the Monterey region, especially along the coast south of the city. But only a fraction of the total condor population regularly flies over and nests in the area. Conservationists consider Monterey an important habitat area to support California condors’ recovery, though their numbers in the region remain small. Focused monitoring and protection will be needed to help condors recolonize and thrive again in the Monterey vicinity long-term.

Notable Condor Sightings in Monterey

While condor sightings are still rare in Monterey, some of the more notable recent observations include:

• In November 2020, local birdwatchers spotted two juvenile condors scavenging a dead seal near Point Lobos (16).
• Trail cameras in Toro Park photographed a condor nest in a redwood tree in June 2021 – a rare documentation of breeding behavior on the northern edge of their range (17).
• Monterey Bay Aquarium staff observed an adult condor resting on the beach below their facility in 2019, drawing a crowd of fascinated visitors (18).
• In 2017, a condor with tracking tag #597 was recorded flying over Pfeiffer Beach and Big Sur multiple times over a two week period (19).

These sightings confirm Monterey falls within the normal, albeit sporadic, habitat range of California condors today. Conservationists remain hopeful more condors may return to the area over time as their population grows.

Conservation Status in Monterey

Recovering the California condor population in Monterey and the Central Coast requires continued conservation actions. These include:

• Protecting habitat – Conservation groups like the Ventana Wildlife Society work to preserve undisturbed nesting and roosting sites for condors in Monterey (20).
• Lead abatement – Since lead bullets contaminate carrion that condors eat, advocacy groups promote use of alternative ammunition to reduce lead poisoning risks (21).
• Monitoring and research – Biologists routinely track condors via wing tags and GPS transmitters to learn more about how the birds use the Monterey region (22).
• Reducing mortality risks – Groups work to limit conflicts between condors and human infrastructure like power lines or wind turbines in the region (23).

Ongoing recovery efforts for the California condor in Monterey and beyond focus on facilitating the growth of new flocks across their former range. Over time, a larger and more interconnected population can develop natural resilience against future threats. While condors in Monterey are still limited in number, continued conservation provides hope the iconic species can once again thrive in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the last sighting of a California condor in Monterey?

The most recent confirmed California condor sighting in Monterey was in November 2022, when birdwatchers spotted two juvenile condors feeding on a marine mammal carcass at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. However, it’s likely condors fly through the area more often than reported sightings indicate.

How many California condors live in Monterey?

There is no definitive current count of condors living specifically in the Monterey region. The birds spotted here are part of the overall central California flock, which contains over 100 individuals. Only a fraction likely reside or nest in Monterey County regularly. Conservation groups estimate around 10-20 condors may inhabit the Monterey vicinity based on recent sightings and GPS tracking data.

Where are the best places to see California condors in Monterey?

Your best chance of spotting California condors around Monterey is along the Big Sur Coast south of the city. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Pfeiffer Beach, and Andrew Molera State Park are probable locations. Condors also occasionally fly over more inland areas like Toro Park when travelling between coastal and inland habitats.

What is the wingspan of a California condor?

California condors have immense wingspans. Adult males average around 9.5 feet across, while adult females average just over 9 feet across. Juvenile condors may have slightly smaller wingspans until they reach maturity. The birds need these gigantic wings to help them soar for long periods while scavenging over large territories.

How long do California condors live?

In the wild, California condors can live for 60 years or more. The older a condor gets, the more valuable they are for the recovering population because of their experience with breeding, roosting, and foraging. Ensuring older birds survive is a conservation priority. In captivity, condors live even longer, with several over age 50 still playing key roles in captive breeding programs.

Conclusion

The majestic California condor remains a rare sight in the Monterey region today. But ongoing conservation provides hope that this iconic species may once again thrive along the Central Coast. Sightings and monitoring data confirm Monterey falls within the condor’s habitat range as their population expands. Protecting habitat, reducing threats, and facilitating the growth of new flocks will help determine whether Monterey remains a part of the condor’s future. With coordinated efforts, these immense birds could once again become a more regular presence soaring over the beaches and forests of this special region.