Reporting a Condor Sighting

How can I tell if the bird I saw is a condor?
One of the best ways to identify a condor is by the numbered tags on its wings . You can also visit our information page about seeing condors for help with identification.

Should I report a condor sighting?
If you see a condor that is ill, injured, or engaging in potentially dangerous behavior such as feeding on a carcass possibly shot with lead ammunition or a carcass laying in the road, approaching people, drinking from deep water containers, or perching on artificial structures, please report the sighting immediately by calling [phone] ext. 224 or ext. 0. Please report the date and time of the observation, location and activity of the condor, and the numbers on wing tag if possible. Other helpful information: how many condors were present and the behavior of the other condors, whether other species of birds were present and engaging in the same behavior, whether the behavior was a first or has happened before, and how long the condor was present.

If you see condors that are not engaging in dangerous behavior, you are welcome to report those observations as well. Any condor sightings outside the Pinnacles boundaries will help us keep track of their movements and activities. You can send an email or call [phone] ext. 224.

If you see a condor on your property, remember that although they are large, they pose no threat to humans, pets, or livestock. If you've been visited by condors on your ranch or hunting property, please remember that state law may require switching to non-lead ammunition within condor range, as lead poisoning is one of the biggest threats to California condors in the wild.

Please feel free to contact us with questions about California condors by sending an email or calling one of the phone numbers listed above.