The **Andean condor** is one of the [most majestic birds in the world](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/impresionante-encuentro-con-un-condor-andino/), with a wingspan that can exceed three meters. It inhabits the **Andes Mountains** and nearby regions, from Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego.
Its **black plumage**, with a white collar around the neck and its featherless head, make it unmistakable. The males also have a **prominent crest above the beak**.
## A crucial species for natural balance
This **scavenging bird** plays an essential role in the ecosystem, as it feeds on dead animals, helping to maintain the **natural balance**.
Its flight is impressive, as it uses **thermal currents** to glide for hours with minimal effort, reaching great heights. It is a long-lived bird, with a **life expectancy** that can exceed 70 years in captivity.
Despite its **ecological and cultural importance**, the Andean condor faces [threats such as illegal hunting](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/santa-fe-endurecen-las-multas-contra-la-caza-ilegal-de-fauna-silvestre/), poisoning, and **habitat loss**.
Various **conservation programs** work to protect it, including captive breeding and reintroduction into nature. In many Andean cultures, the condor is a symbol of strength, freedom, and **spiritual connection with the sky**.
## Ideal places to spot the Andean condor in Argentina
In Argentina, one of the best places to observe the majestic Andean condor is the **Condorito Ravine**, located in the province of Córdoba, within the homonymous National Park. This impressive canyon, with walls over 800 meters deep, is a **natural refuge** where condors take advantage of air currents to soar and glide elegantly.
However, their main habitat is the region of **Patagonian Andes**, especially in Santa Cruz, Río Negro, and Neuquén. In these landscapes of mountains, valleys, and lakes, condors find refuge in inaccessible rocks and can be spotted at dawn or dusk.
Additionally, in the **Talampaya Canyon** in La Rioja, declared a **UNESCO World Heritage Site**, condors soar over the imposing reddish cliffs, creating an unforgettable spectacle for visitors to the area.
## Conservation and environmental education
These natural sanctuaries not only allow the sighting of this emblematic species but also play a fundamental role in its conservation, promoting the **protection of its habitat** and **environmental education**.
## The latest census of the Andean condor in Mendoza revealed an encouraging fact
The latest survey showed that there is a population of **81 condors** of different ages in the high mountains.
These animals are part of a program for the **conservation of the species** in which the **Government of Mendoza** works, along with foundations dedicated to the protection of the world’s largest scavenging bird.
Censuses are carried out in the **natural corridor of protected areas**, which are considered sanctuaries for these birds.
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