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According to the Peregrine Fund, there are now more California Condors flying free than are in captivity for breeding purposes. It's the first year that this has happened.
Two condor chicks fledged from their nests in the Grand Canyon this month, bringing the world population of free-flying wild condors to 169. 158 condors are in captivity.
Of the 169 condors in the wild, 67 are in Arizona, 83 are in California, and 19 are in Mexico.
In our December 2007 issue, in a review of the condor's status after 20 years of recovery efforts, we reported that the world population had reached 306 birds, 147 of which were wild.
The Grand Canyon chicks are the offspring of two sets of condor parents nesting in the canyon’s remote ledges and caves. The chicks hatched in May and were first observed testing their wings in September and October. The fledglings make a total of nine wild chicks hatched in the Grand Canyon since 1996. Eight are still alive. --C.H.
It's more likely that you saw a vulture. Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures look like smaller versions of the California Condor. Also, although I've heard of free-flying condors roaming to Utah, I have not heard of any Texas sightings. Here's a graphic that shows a comparison of condors, vultures, and eagles.
http://cacondorconservation.org/content/did-you-see-a-california-condor-let-us-know/
Posted by: Matt Mendenhall | July 02, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I believe I saw a California Condor today flying just south of Fort Worth, Texas. Can anyone confirm this.
Posted by: rRick Bullock | July 02, 2009 at 08:46 PM