Condor 216

Hatched on April 3, 2000 at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, #216 aka the “Queen of Bitter Creek” is one of the oldest females in the wild. She was first released as a one-year-old and has spent the last quarter of a century navigating the skies of Southern California. Once mature, it didn’t take her long to find a mate. When she was five years old, she and #98 were the only ones to attempt to nest in 2005 near Lake Piru – unfortunately without success.

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Over the next six years, she eventually made her way up to the Bitter Creek area and became smitten with the handsome #328, who’s natal territory was a stone’s throw from #216’s first nest. The two attempted to nest in consecutive years from 2011-2013 unsuccessfully, then took a break for several years. There was never a question about the fidelity of their bond though, as they were rarely seen apart.

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Then, in 2017, the two took over a new territory at Orchard Draw where they triumphantly fledged their first chick, with many successful nests thereafter! Whenever the Condor Team thinks of Bitter Creek, the yellow and blue tags of #216 and #328 are never far from mind.