California condor chick at Zion National Park takes its first flight

Condors 409 (mother), chick 1,000 and condor 523 (father) are pictured at Zion National Park. | National Park Service

ZION NATIONAL PARK — California condor chick 1,000 has taken its first flight from its nest cave.

Two park visitors witnessed the chick’s flight on Sept. 25 and reported it to National Park Service staff, who confirmed the news.

According to officials, the chick is the first wild-hatched chick to successfully fledge within the park since recovery efforts began in the late 1990s, and likely the first in over 100 years.

Although the chick’s first flight was described as “ungraceful,” it nonetheless managed to land safely.

Park rangers say they and volunteers are keeping a close eye on the chick, regularly observing it flapping its wings, a routine that will help it build muscles so future flights are more graceful than its first.

Although most condors take their first flights when they are about 6 months old, chick 1,000 fledged at 4 1/2 months, which is still within the observed age range of a fledged condor.

The chick will continue to be dependent on its parents — condors 409 (mother) and 523 (father) — for the next 12 to 14 months. Because the adults spend so much time caring for their young, wild condor pairs normally produce one egg every other year.

Currently, 96 condors are flying free in northern Arizona and southern Utah.

On an additional note, park officials are reminding rock climbers that all routes on the east face of Angels Landing remain closed until further notice due to condor activity.

National Park Service

California condor chick 1,000 suns itself at Zion National Park.

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