This is Birdnode.

It's a lovely day along the California coast near Big Sur.

A steady cooling breeze from the ocean pushes a strong updraft along the seaside cliffs.

Soaring above is one of our continent's most spectacular birds and one of its most endangered, the California Condor.

California Condors are the largest soaring birds in North America with a wingspan of over 9 feet.

During the days of mammoths and saber-toothed cats, they thrived over much of the continent.

200 years ago, Condors were found from California to southern British Columbia.

But by 1987, there were only 27 California Condors left and these were held in captivity to foster the species returned to the wild.

Today, there are more than 300 free-flying Condors living in the world and around 200 are showing captivity, yet the wild population is not self-sustaining.

Unlike many species, the Condor's main survival problem is not habitat loss, it's high mortality due to lead poisoning.

Condors eat animal carcasses which can contain lead from hunter's bullets.

But a California state law banning the use of lead took effect in 2019.

This change could help Condors once again thrive and soar in the Golden State.

Learn more at birdnote.org. I'm Mary McCann.