# Air Condor (DD-493)

> Andean and California condors have wingspans of up to about 3 meters (10 feet). They ride thermals, columns of warm air rising from sun-heated ground and slopes, and ridge lift along mountains, gliding long distances with little energy while searching for carrion. The footage, credited to webnectarphoto, shows a condor soaring over mountains.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2025-02-20
- Last updated: 2025-02-20
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-condor/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-493-F01**: Andean, California. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Species))_
- **DD-493-F02**: Up to about 3 m. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Wingspan))_

## Write-up

Condors can soar for hours with barely a wingbeat. Rising warm air does the lifting.

1. **Species**: Andean, California.
2. **Wingspan**: Up to about 3 m.
3. **Lift**: Thermals.
4. **Effort**: Minimal flapping.
5. **Food**: Carrion.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Air Condor: Condors Can Soar for Hours With Barely a Wingbeat

- Duration: 20.8 s · Published: 2025-02-20
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DGTPuOzxXKp.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? Condors, such as the Andean and California condors, are masters of mountain flight, using their massive wingspans, reaching up to 10 feet, to soar effortlessly over rugged terrain. These birds rely on thermal updrafts, warm air rising from the sun-heated slopes, to glide with minimal energy expenditure. This allows them to cover vast distances while searching for carrion, their primary food source. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Wingspan up to?**  
A: Huge. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Species) · Wikipedia: Andean condor)_

**Q: What lifts them?**  
A: Warm air. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Wingspan) · Wikipedia: Andean condor)_

**Q: Food?**  
A: Scavengers. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Lift) · Wikipedia: Thermal)_

**Q: Energy use?**  
A: Gliding. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Effort) · Wikipedia: Andean condor)_

**Q: A species?**  
A: South America. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Food) · Wikipedia: Andean condor)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Andean condor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_condor)
- [Wikipedia: Thermal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Air Condor." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-493, last updated Feb 20, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-condor/