Soaring above the Andes

Winds at 53 knots (96 mph) and a closed port will definitely result in a change of plans. As you can see from the map below, we were headed to Punta Arenas today to see the condors, but the high winds forced us to make another itinerary change. So, we now head south and proceed to the Strait of Magellan, through the Chilean Fjords, to Valparaiso, Chile, on the western side of South America.

Despite missing our planned excursion today to see the majestic condors, I would like to share some information about this aviary species. The Andean Condor is among the largest flying birds in the world and relies on its huge wings and strong winds to soar overhead. Here's one flying over the Andes Mountains (photo courtesy of vistazo.com). They are often seen flying, eating or resting in very elevated areas, with their nesting sites at 16,000 feet above sea level. Male condors have a white collar around their neck while the female does not.

Here are some interesting facts about the magnificent bird -

• They're an endangered species with Argentina having the highest number of condors at 10,000. Deforestation, pollution of their food and indiscriminate hunting for their feathers or bones are causing their numbers to drop. Only about 100 remain in Ecuador and less than 2,500 in Peru.

• The wingspan of a male condor generally reaches slightly over ten feet. These impressive wingspans allow condors to soar and glide with ease, making them well-adapted for their scavenging lifestyle. Here's a photo that puts it in perspective (found on culturetrip.com).

  

• They can fly long distances. Research shows a condor can fly for more than 100 miles without flapping its wings. One bird even flew for more than five hours without a single flap, covering over 100 miles. Those that inhabit large territories, often travel 160 miles a day in search of carrion.

• Condors are vultures, meaning they feed off dead animals and decomposed food. They're credited with cleaning up the environment and stopping the spread of disease from sick animals. They barely hunt since their bodies are not made for hunting. Their claws are round and short. They can, however, kill animals if they can't find food. Once they located a potential meal rotting somewhere, they begin to circle the area and then slowly start descending. They can spend more than four days waiting for the right moment to start feeding. They can eat ad nauseam. Normally weighing around 33 pounds, they can eat up to about 10 pounds of food at one sitting and still be able to fly.

• These birds can live up to 75 years. They don't start breeding until age five or six which is why they have a low reproduction and mortality rate, and are therefore endangered. The Incas believed the condor could be immortal and thought they were God's messengers. They used them as part of their three totems - puma (Earth), snake (Underworld), and condor (Sky).

The condor excursion was missed today, but we still had the opportunity to witness some remarkable sights. Our captain is currently guiding us along the Cordillera Darwin Mountain range and through the Chilean Fjords, where we are seeing some of the most astonishing glaciers in the world. (But you'll have to wait until tomorrow to experience these sights). Until then, thanks for joining us!