California condor

noun

Cal·​i·​for·​nia condor ˌka-lə-ˈfȯr-nyə- How to pronounce California condor (audio)
: a large nearly extinct vulture (Gymnogyps californianus) found most recently in the mountains of southern California that is related to the condor of South America

Illustration of California condor

Illustration of california condor

Examples of California condor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dozens of species — zebra sharks, California condors and Komodo dragons — can reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis. Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 Parthenogenesis has been observed in more than 80 vertebrate species, including California condors and a crocodile. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 In North America, hunters leave behind game that is riddled with lead shot, which slowly poisons vultures such as the California condor. Meera Subramanian, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 The Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge is also home to California condors, which are endangered species. Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2024 Ingesting metal is one reason California condors nearly went extinct during the 1980s. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023 Redwoods also have served for millennia as nesting habitat for huge California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), whose wingspan is nearly 10 feet. Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024 How hunters can aid the California condor's comeback 05:07 Recently, a federal judge approved the reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado. Douglas Brinkley, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2023 Pinnacles National Park - California Birds of Pinnacles National Park: California quail, California condor, Turkey vulture, Golden eagle, Prairie falcon, Acorn woodpecker and Steller’s jay. Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 29 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'California condor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

California, state of U.S.

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California condor was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near California condor

Cite this Entry

“California condor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20condor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

California condor

noun
Cal·​i·​for·​nia condor ˌkal-ə-ˌfȯr-nyə- How to pronounce California condor (audio)
: a very large nearly extinct vulture of mountainous southern California that is related to the condor of South America

More from Merriam-Webster on California condor

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