Rare Andean condor chick hatches at National Aviary

A rare Andean Condor chick, a downy, grey-white baby bird the size of a grapefruit, hatched Friday at the National Aviary.

This is the first Andean Condor chick to hatch at the National Aviary since 2007, and is currently the only Andean Condor chick to hatch this year at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo in North America.

A live webcam will continue to capture the condor parents, Lianni and Lurch, feeding and raising their chick, which is currently in a nesting cave in the aviary’s Condor Court habitat.

Eventually, visitors will be able to see the chick in the cave as it grows. When it is about 10 to 11 weeks old, the chick begin to venture out into the surrounding habitat. The chick will reach full size in six to eight months.

“This is a much celebrated arrival for us and for the species, as Andean Condor populations face many pressures in the wild,” said National Aviary Executive Director Cheryl Tracy. “Our team worked collaboratively to create the Condor Court habitat and an ongoing breeding and field conservation program to ensure that Andean Condors thrive. This new chick is an affirmation of our team’s hard work, and we couldn’t be more delighted.”