Differences between Condor and House-Finch

Condor and House-Finch are two classes of birds that belong to the Cathartidae and Fringillidae families respectively.

Condor includes two species of New World Vultures, namely, the Andean Condor and the California Condor. They are one of the largest flying birds in the world. The Andean Condor is characterized by black feathers with white patches at the tip of wings. Its neck is covered with white fur, while the head is red and bald. The bird’s talons are straight and blunt and its beak is curved. The California Condor is generally black with white patches below the wings. The neck and head are yellowish orange without any feathers. These birds do not have talons and the backward toe for grasping. The beak is hooked and has an egg tooth.

House Finch is a medium-sized song bird. It has a flat head, short wings, and long jagged tail. Also known as Linnet, the bird has a cone-shaped beak and thin short legs. The female House Finches have a blackish brown plumage all over their body. However, the male birds have reddish face, neck, and chest. This color, which they get from compounds in their diet, could vary with geography. House Finch is known as an aggressive and intelligent bird. There are about 11 subspecies of them.

Where are Condor and House-Finch found?

Andean Condors are found in mountains, deserts, and coasts. They exist in Andes mountains and parts of western South America. On the other hand, California Condors live in rocky shrubs and coniferous forests. They can be found in southern parts of Californian deserts besides Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.

House Finches live near streams, in bushes and thickets, and at grasslands, open forests, cities, and suburbs. They are native to western parts of North America, but have been introduced in the eastern regions, the USA, Mexico, and southern Canada.

What do Condor and House-Finch eat?

Andean Condors and California Condors are both carnivores and scavengers. They eat dead deer, sheep, pigs, cows, and other large mammals. On rare occasions they hunt small creatures like rodents, rabbits, and small reptiles.

House Finches are mostly herbivores. Their diet chiefly comprises of seeds, berries, cactus, grains, fruits, buds, nuts, and other vegetation. Occasionally, the birds may eat tiny insects.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Condor and House-Finch

• Condor do eat Fish while House-Finch may not eat Fish.
• Condor do eat Frogs while House-Finch may not eat Frogs.
• Condor do eat Lizards while House-Finch may not eat Lizards.
• Condor do eat Snakes while House-Finch may not eat Snakes.
• Condor do eat Turtles while House-Finch may not eat Turtles.
• Condor do eat Squirrels while House-Finch may not eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Condor while House-Finch do not eat Gophers.
• Baby Ducks are commonly eaten by Condor while House-Finch do not eat Baby Ducks.
• Condor do eat Mice while House-Finch may not eat Mice.

Size of Condor and House-Finch?

When it comes to size, Andean Condors are one of the largest flying birds in the world with a height of nearly four feet and a wingspan of 10 feet. California Condors are nearly as large with a height of 3.5-4.5 feet and a wingspan of about 9.8 feet. They are the largest flying birds in North America.. The average length of House Finches is five to six inches. The birds have a wingspan of about eight to 10 inches.

Condors are also huge in terms of weight. Andean Condors weigh 16.9-33 pounds. Meanwhile, the average weight of California Condors is 18-20 pounds. while House Finches are small birds. They weigh 0.66-0.77 ounces.

Where do Condor and House-Finch nest?

Andean Condors make their nests with sticks on safe rims of rocks or ledges of cliffs in higher elevation. Their eggs are bluish white with a weight of 9.9 ounces. Both partners take turns to incubate the eggs for 58-60 days. The chicks fledge at around six months but continue to be under the care of their parents for 10 months to two years. California Condors use mountain caves or tree cavities to lay eggs. They surround the eggs with gravel, sticks, or bones. The eggs are bluish green in color and weigh 10 ounces. Both male and female share duties of incubating and nesting the young ones. The eggs hatch after 53-60 days. The young ones fledge in about four months but remain with the parents for a year.

House Finches build their nests in tree cavities, branches, bushes, ridges, nest boxes, street lamps, chimneys, or corners of buildings. It is the female that usually constructs the nests. She uses dried grass, stems, twigs, leaves, and feathers for the purpose. The nests are generally three to seven inches wide and about two inches deep. The eggs of House Finches are bluish white with dark speckles. The female House Finch incubates them for about two weeks. When the nestlings hatch, both parents engage in feeding them. They are generally fed with soft fly larvae. The young ones fledge when they are 12-15 days old.

How long do Condor and House-Finch live?

Both species of Condors have a long lifespan. Andean Condors live up to 50 years in the wild. The oldest lived bird died at 80 years in January 2010 at the Beardsley Zoo in USA. California Condors have an average lifespan of 60 years. Of the living California Condors, the oldest is a male that hatched in April 1966.

House Finches live for up to 11 years in the wild. The oldest known House Finch lived for 11 years and seven months.

Are Condor or House-Finch migratory birds?

Andean Condors and California Condors are not typical migratory birds although they fly long distances. They do not travel in search of new habitats, instead travel nearly 125 miles a day looking for food.

House Finches in the western parts of North America are mostly residents. The ones from the east of the continent and south-eastern Canada migrate southward during winters.

Do Condor and House-Finch fly in flocks?

A group of Condors is called a Condo. Andean Condors are mostly solitary. They live in small groups of three or four having both male and female birds. They may roost in colonies. Contrastingly, California Condors are more social. They spend time with their groups and also follow a social hierarchy. They eat together but following a pecking order.

A flock of House Finches is known as charming or trembling. These birds are extremely gregarious. They are seldom seen solitarily, except in the breeding season. They often forage in loose flocks on the ground or on trees. House Finches may also be extremely noisy. Their nests are generally located in close vicinity. In groups, female House Finches tend to be more dominating.

Are Condor or House-Finch protected?

Both Condor species are protected by law in the USA. They are categorized under the Endangered Species Act, under which harming or killing them is punishable.

House Finches are protected as migratory and non-game birds. It is against the law to kill or harm them.

Are Condor or House-Finch endangered?

Andean Condors are listed as threatened. They are extinct in Venezuela. Their population is under threat because of hunting by farmers to save their livestock and poisoning from pesticides. They also face danger from electrocution, eating trash, and exposure to pesticides. California Condors are listed as critically endangered. Only a few hundreds of them are remaining but their numbers are increasing due to captive breeding. These birds are being reinstated into the wild.

House Finches are listed as species of least concern. They are neither threatened nor endangered. However, the birds face dangers such as predator attacks, bacterial disease, and collisions.

Can Condor and House-Finch fly?

The Condor species fly by using thermals and flap their wings as infrequently as once an hour. Owing to their large size, they prefer to fly in windy regions. They can reach flying speeds of 55 miles an hour and soar at altitudes of 15,000 feet.

House Finches commonly fly in small groups. They have short wings, so they are not great aviators. Their flying speed averages 15-20 miles an hour. They can also be seen hopping while looking for food on the ground.

Can Condor and House-Finch swim?

Condors are not built to swim. They are not water birds. They are huge and fly in search of food.

House Finches are not water birds. Their feet are adapted for perching rather than for swimming. However, the birds enjoy bathing and splashing in shallow waters.

Mating patterns among Condor and House-Finch

Andean Condors reach sexual maturity when they turn five or six years. They have the longest breeding cycle among all birds in the world. They reproduce during alternate years. During courtship, the male’s neck changes color to bright yellow. He hisses and coos while dancing and hopping around the female with his wings partly spread out. The partners share a close bonding and raise the young ones jointly for a year. California Condors start mating when they are six to eight years old. They lay one egg every two years. Courtship will include the male performing displays, extending his wings, and dancing by moving his legs. The female also performs displays with her wings. The partners share the responsibility of incubating and tending to the young ones. The female California Condors are known to be able to reproduce asexually without mating.

House Finches reach sexually maturity when they are about a year old. During courtship, the female beseeches to be fed by the male. The male feeds the partner, performs several aerial displays, and sings melodiously. The male House Finch’s courtship habit of singing while fluttering the wings and gently gliding down is unique to House Finches. This is referred to as butterfly flight. The male is also protective of his partner. He defends his mate and the nesting territory. House Finches raise three or more broods every year. Each clutch consists of two to six eggs. While the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs, she is supported by the male who feeds her from courtship until the hatching of eggs. The partners also share the responsibility of feeding and guarding their young ones.

When is the mating season for Condor and House-Finch ?

Andean Condors mate during February-June. In the case of California Condors, the mating season is from December to April.

The mating season for House Finches is from March-August each year. The birds, however, start pairing in winter.

Do Condor and House-Finch mate for life?

Both Condor species are monogamous and mate for life. They also live with their offspring for longer than most other birds.

House Finches are monogamous. They mate for life and live with the same partner for the whole of their lives.

How do Condor and House-Finch sleep?

Andean Condors and California Condors roost in groups on elevated cliffs or tall trees to keep themselves safe from predators on the ground. They however sleep near their nests during the breeding season.

House Finches sleep at dusk. They need 10-12 hours of sleep each day. They sleep on trees, ledges, rocks, buildings, and street lamps. The birds huddle together while roosting to maintain body temperature.

Can Condor and House-Finch be eaten?

Humans are not known to consume Condor meat. As these birds are scavengers, it is not healthy to eat them. Further, modern laws do not permit killing of Condors.

House Finches are not known to be eaten. It is also against the law to kill them. However, some people may consume their eggs.

Can you hunt Condor or House-Finch?

Reduction in the population of California Condors has chiefly been attributed to hunting by farmers who killed the birds to save their livestock. Farmers have also killed Andean Condors. Therefore, to save these species that are endangered, laws have been introduced prohibiting any kind of harming or killing.

House Finches are protected birds. It is against the law to harm or hunt them.

Can you feed Condor or House-Finch?

Condors are protected in captivity and at breeding centers to save them from extinction. Here, the birds are fed meat, rodents, chicken, and fish.

It is a common practice in America to keep feeds for House Finches and other birds. The feeds for House Finches include berries, seeds, bell peppers, beetroot, cabbage, and banana.