California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is in the New World Vultures family (Cathartidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 6,600 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): CR.
When to photograph California Condor: observations by month (U.S.)
About California Condor
The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a New World vulture, the largest North American land bird. This condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 (all remaining wild individuals were captured), but the species has been reintroduced to northern Arizona and southern Utah (including the Grand Canyon area and Zion National Park), the coastal mountains of central and southern California, and northern Baja California. Although other fossil members are known, it is the only surviving member...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
California Condor by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,757 | February | Oct–Aug |
| Arizona | 1,457 | May | Mar–Oct |
| Utah | 386 | April | Mar–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (New World Vultures)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph California Condor?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to January.
Where is California Condor most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Utah.