Untagged Condors

 
When condors hatch in the wild, biologists try to enter the nests and tag the young birds at about four months old. However, some nests are too dangerous or inaccessible to enter, so the chicks fledge (learn to fly) at about six months old with no wing tags. When that happens, biologists have to wait until the untagged condor comes to one of the trapping sites so it can get a wing tag and transmitter before getting released again.

After these untagged condors are caught, biologists send a blood sample out for DNA testing to confirm who the bird is. Instead of being held in captivity for weeks while we confirm their identity, these condors are released with temporary green tags and then recaptured later so they can recieve the correct tag.
 
Condor 1145 sunning her wings.
Condor 1145 sunning her wings.

NPS/Gavin Emmons

1145 (currently has temporary green tag with the number 9)

Hatched: 4/29/2022 from a wild nest in Pinnacles National Park
Sex: Female
Parents: Condors 589 and 569
Fun Fact:
She is the fourth offspring of super parents 589 and 569, and they raised her just one year after raising her older sister 1078 instead of the usual two years!

 
Condor 1238 in the nest.
Condor 1238 in the nest at 69 days old.

NPS/Rose Fielding

Condor 1238

Hatched: 5/11/23 from a wild nest in Pinnacles
Sex: Unknown
Parents: Condors 340 and 236
Fun Fact: 1238 is being raised in a new nest cavity that 340 and 236 have not used before!

Last updated: February 29, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

Phone:

831 389-4486
Please call the number above for all park related inquiries. For camping questions contact the Pinnacles Campground at (831) 200-1722. For the park book store, please call (831) 389-4485.

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