Differences between Condor and Ibis

Condor and Ibis are two classes of birds that belong to the Cathartidae and Threskiornithidae 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.

Ibis is a wading bird that has been in existence since ages – its fossils date back to over 60 million years. The bird is considered sacred in Egyptian culture. It is a quiet bird with spherical-shaped white body, long red legs, and a red, long, curved bill. Ibis consists of around 26 species of wading birds such as spoonbills.

Where are Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibises are inhabited in all warm locations of the world. They do not exist in South Pacific islands and Antarctica alone. They are generally found near wetlands, like marshes, lagoons, ponds, and lakes at sea level. However, some of them also live in grasslands and forests of mountain regions.

What do Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibis is a carnivore. Its natural diet comprises of insects, grasshoppers, spiders, earthworms, crustaceans, beetles, worms, frogs, and small fish. However, the bird can get accustomed to eating anything. It can also consume plant matter, grains, and fruits.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Condor and Ibis

• Both Condor and Ibis eat Fish.
• Both Condor and Ibis eat Frogs.
• Both Condor and Ibis eat Lizards.
• Both Condor and Ibis eat Snakes.
• Both Condor and Ibis eat Turtles.
• Both Condor and Ibis eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Condor, but not by all Ibis.
• Baby Ducks are consumed by both Condorand Ibis.
• Mice are eaten by both Condor and Ibis.

Size of Condor and Ibis?

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 height of an Ibis is 1.8-2.5 feet. Its wingspan measures about 3.18 feet. The critically endangered Giant Ibis stands around 3.2-3.5 feet.

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 The male Ibis weighs heavier than the female ones. The average weight of the male is 3.7-5.5 pounds, while that of the female is 3.1-4.2 pounds.

Where do Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibises generally breed in big colonies, except for some species such as the Black Ibis. The nests are usually built on trees using sticks and leaves. However, in the absence of trees Ibises create their nests in bushes or on grasses on the ground. About two to five eggs are laid by an individual Ibis in a nesting season. The incubation lasts for around 21-23 days. The young ones, which are guarded and fed by both the male and female partners, fledge in 28-35 days.

How long do Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibises have an average lifespan of 16-27 years. The oldest living White Ibis was 16 years and four months old. It lived in Florida during 1956-1972.

Are Condor or Ibis 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.

Ibis is both a resident and migratory bird. It is migratory in countries like Mangolia, Korea, Japan, and Laos. It has vast breeding colonies in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The bird has migrated to Australia due to drought and loss of habitat in other regions. Ibis is found in the USA, where it migrates from the north during winter.

Do Condor and Ibis 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 Ibises is called congregation, wedge, or stand. Ibis is a convivial bird that travels, sleeps, hunts, and breeds in huge groups that most often also include other species of birds. Ibises especially form large colonies as a breeding season approaches. They also fly in groups through the typical V-formation.

Are Condor or Ibis 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.

Ibis is a protected bird across the world. Hunting, shooting, or attempting to kill the bird is an offence. The USA, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, India, and France are some countries that are actively involved in the protection of some of the rarest and endangered species of Ibis.

Are Condor or Ibis 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.

The numbers of several Ibis species is on a downfall owing to loss of habitat, hunting, poaching, use of insecticides in agricultural fields, deforestation, and depletion of wet lands. Giant Ibis, Northern Bald Ibis, and Crested Ibis are extinct in several countries and listed as critically endangered in regions where they exist in a tiny population.

Can Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibis is known as a wading bird. Two extinct species were not able to fly. However, the existing ones can all fly. Ibises stretch out their neck and legs in flight, while also performing flapping and sailing every now and then. They usually fly in groups by forming a V-shape to reduce wind resistance. The birds can keep up a speed of about 23 miles per hour. It has been observed that some species fly over 1,800 miles during migration. The Ibis chicks will generally be able to fly 28-56 days after birth.

Can Condor and Ibis swim?

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

Ibises rarely swim. They wade through water or occasionally glide by flapping their wings. The birds have been noticed swimming, but they are known to avoid deep waters.

Mating patterns among Condor and Ibis

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.

At the onset of breeding season, male Ibises congregate in huge flocks at the colony to attract the females. They engage in several displays, bathing, and even fights. Once the male finds his mate, the partners participate in nest building and caring for the young ones. It is mostly the female that establishes the nesting site and constructs the nest with occasional assistance from the male.

When is the mating season for Condor and Ibis ?

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

The mating season for Ibises is usually after the rains. Sometimes it is the end of winters. It could even be spring or summer in some regions.

Do Condor and Ibis mate for life?

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

Ibises are generally monogamous in each breeding season. Some of them even remain with the same partner for many years. At the same time, some males also mate with more than one female in the same breeding season.

How do Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibises are active during the day. They sleep in colonies in trees during the night – a practice that helps them to protect themselves from predator attacks.

Can Condor and Ibis 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.

Ibises are considered delectable in some parts of Africa even today. Although the bird is protected everywhere, some people cook it covertly. The practice comes from a tradition of eating wild meat cooked in spices.

Can you hunt Condor or Ibis?

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.

Ibises were hunted in ancient times for their meat. However, modern strict laws do not allow hunting or shooting of the bird.

Can you feed Condor or Ibis?

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

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. In captivity, Ibises can be fed with insects, little fish, frogs, earthworms, and snails. These birds are not picky eaters – so, you may also give them grains, fruits, and vegetables.