This is bird note.

With its awe-inspiring vistas and eons of geologic time on display,

the Grand Canyon also offers a unique habitat for birds, some very rare.

What you're likely to see first are bronzed cow birds, dark long-tailed birds strutting on the lawns of lodges and restaurants.

Common ravens call and squabble from the branches of scraggly pines.

Gasing out across the bright canyon wall, you notice dark shapes floating on the up-rafts.

Those large birds holding their wings in a broad v are turkey vultures.

Suddenly. Suddenly a large shadow floats across the landscape and you squint up into the sun.

For a breathtaking moment, wings nine feet across float above the canyon rim.

The bird banks to show whitish undersides, then drops away out of sight.

The largest of all North American birds a California condor has dipped his wings to you.

If you ever miss a bird note, you can always get the latest episode, just tell your smart speaker, play the podcast

Bird Note. Learn more on our website, Birdnote.org. dot org.