Critically Endangered Fauna of the United States - California Condor, Appalachian Elktoe, Carolina Heelsplitter, Hawaiian Monk Seal (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 28. Chapters: California Condor, Appalachian elktoe, Carolina heelsplitter, Hawaiian monk seal, Mississippi Gopher Frog, Maui Parrotbill, Po ouli, Puaiohi,, Akohekohe, Alabama sturgeon, Miami blue, 'Akeke'e, Alabama cavefish, Bruneau hot springsnail, Nukupu'u, Maui Nukupu u, Oloma o, O ahu Nukupu u, Kaua i Nukupu u, Akikiki, Moapa dace, O ahu Alauahio, Magazine Mountain middle-toothed snail, Ramsey Canyon Leopard Frog, Gyrinophilus palleucus necturoides, Gammarus desperatus, Appalachian monkey-face pearly mussel, Catalina mountain snail, Tennessee pebblesnail, Alabama lamp naiad, Gulf moccasinshell, Southern acorn riffle shell, Charalito Chihuahua, Santa Monica shieldback katydid, Southern pigtoe, Southern kidneyshell, Louisiana pearlshell. Excerpt: Species-level: The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a North American species of bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae and the largest North American land bird. Currently, this condor inhabits only the Grand Canyon area, Zion National Park, and western coastal mountains of California and northern Baja California. Although other fossil members are known, it is the only surviving member of the genus Gymnogyps. It is a large, black vulture with patches of white on the underside of the wings and a largely bald head with skin color ranging from yellowish to a bright red, depending on the bird's mood. It has the largest wingspan of any bird found in North America and is one of the heaviest, weighing up to 29 lbs. The condor is a scavenger and eats large amounts of carrion. It is one of the world's longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 60 years. Condor numbers dramatically declined in the 20th century due to poaching, lead poisoning, and habitat destruction. Eventually, a conservation plan was put in place by the United States government that led to t...