Field notes, v1400
Page 459
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gymnogyps californianus May 3, 1976 Nr. Famoso, Calif. 12:29 I saw 4 circling with turkey vultures at up to 300' altitude about 1 mile to S., 4 one about 1 mile to N.E. Then I drove to a hilltop about ½ mile E. of the first. From there at 12:40 I saw 6 condors in air & at least 3 on the ground (2 at one spot, one ¼ ± mile distant). There were at least 3 turkey vultures within 20' of the two condors. Heat waves interfered greatly with vision. I saw another condor go down as if to land in a canyon ½ ± mile N. of the two. I watched the two - at 12:45 there were 6 turkey vultures near them. One ran a few steps with wings up - 4 turkey vultures took off but landed 10 ±' from condor when it stopped. The other saw- do walked fast toward a standing buzzard - the latter took off when condor 10 ±' away. 12:59 the two condors stood together; they wrestled with their heads, one bird forcing the other back. Over the condors whooped 5 other condors & 12 ± turkey vultures - at 12:54 the condor took off & joined the bunch. About 1 mile SW of there about 3 others circled. 12:55- the lone perched condor also gave. In the low whirling group the condors were mixed in with the vultures - no separation. 1:00, I saw 4 condors in quick succession drop into a hollow about 3/4 mile NE of Pete's Corner, & a buzzard leave the hollow, flapping. 1:03, I saw 5 condors low over that spot as