Condor Chick Watching: Age 30 to 45 Days

Condor Chick Watching: Age 30 to 45 Days

Even though the parents are increasing their time away from the chick, they remain VERY vigilant and protective of their nest and ESPECIALLY their chick. Some field biologists have even seen wild condor parents chasing black bears away from the nest area!   read more

Condor Chick Watching: Age 3 to 4 Weeks

Condor Chick Watching: Age 3 to 4 Weeks

At 3 weeks of age and 42 to 52 ounces (1.2 to 1.5 kilograms), our California condor chick can start to thermoregulate, or control its own body temperature. This is when the parents can start leaving the chick on its own during the day.   read more

Tortoise in the Glass: Evaluating Health Problems

Tortoise in the Glass: Evaluating Health Problems

I’m a veterinary pathologist, which means I spend a lot of quality time looking through a microscope at slides with tissues to try to evaluate health problems that show up as changes in those tissues.   read more

Condor Chick Watching: Age 2 to 3 Weeks

Condor Chick Watching: Age 2 to 3 Weeks

At two to three weeks of age, the real fun of condor chick-viewing begins! The chick is getting bigger, weighing between 500 and 1,200 grams (1.1 and 2.6 pounds) and can often be seen poking its head out from under a parent’s wing.   read more

Condor Chick Watching: Hatch to 1 Week

Condor Chick Watching: Hatch to 1 Week

Both California condor parents provide care for the chick. This drive is very strong, and it’s not uncommon to see the parents vying for time with the chick, especially immediately after hatching.   read more