Every California condor is identified by a “studbook” number assigned on their hatch date. A studbook is a breeding registry that helps managers document and keep track of pedigree and individual birds. The lower the studbook number, the older the bird is. Each bird is visually identified by a vinyl ID tag on one or both wings. The color of the tag correlates with the age of the condor.
While visiting Pinnacles, you may see condors managed by the park (those are the profiles listed on this page) as well as condors managed by our partners in Big Sur, Ventana Wildlife Society. To learn more about the condors managed by them, you can visit Ventana Wildlife Society's condor profile page. For more information on interpreting each tag visit condorspotter.com.
Our Condor Memorial Page contains information about all Pinnacles condors that have passed away since the program started, as well as their causes of death.
To report your sightings of condors in and around Pinnacles, please email us or call the Pinnacles Condor Program at 831-389-4486, extension 4276.
