Inspiration for this book,  Condor Canyon Countdown  is from both observing these magnificent aerialists in the wild and hearing stories from birdwatchers of their incredible encounters. Having witnessed myself, the grace of a flying condor for the first time, my body froze in awe! To think that these creatures have lived on this planet for about 40,000 years is so much to comprehend. They lived in the Pleistocene Era, so they are not only the largest flying land bird but the oldest bird species on the planet.

 

In about 1987, they became almost extinct which is when I heard my first story of birders watching them fly. It was estimate that only about 27 birds were still alive! But, in 1992 groups began to serve these birds in recovery by raising them and ultimately releasing them into the wild once again. It is estimated that about 550 live in the wild once again with more entering their natural environment each year.

 

Why does that matter?

 

Condors are critical to our ecosystem. They play the very crucial role of environment clean-up as scavengers. They do not hunt prey, but rather scoop up anything that is already dead to clear the way for plants and other animals to live disease free. We need condors...badly...to reproduce and live in our beautiful parks and help preserve our lands.

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California condors have an average lifespan of about 60 years, living to be 40-80 years old. There are human factors that affect their lives and we should be cognizant of our influences.

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Why a book for such young kids?

The theme of this story is about following the daily life, the true to life behaviors of condors in the wild. The text is presented in a sing song rhythm of rhyme which young children love and remember. They enjoy repetition and counting, so both are included in hopes of planting the seeds of preserving nature and learning more about condors. 
 
Kids can talk with adults about...      

• Condors and other animals important to our environment

• The reasons it is important to help animals through good practices

          

          KIDS are kind.
          KIDS want to do good deeds. 
          KIDS are the key to protecting animals in the future.