This land is my land from California to the New York Island.

From California to the New York Island, from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters.

To the Gulf Stream Waters.

This land was made for you and me. 35 years ago we almost lost North America's largest bird. There were 22 known in existence. A controversial choice was

made to save them that led to years of grudges between conservationalists,

and the fight for its survival is far from over.

On today's episode of America's National Parks,

the California Condor, and one of their magnificent homes, the Rock Spires of Pinnacles National Park.

Here's Abigail Trep you. The California Condor was described by English naturalist George Shaw in 1797 as

vulture Californianness.

They are uniform black, except large, triangular patches or bands of white on the underside of the wings.

They have grey legs and feet, a white bill, brownish red eyes, and a ruffle of black feathers that

stand out around their neck.

The skin of their naked, vulturous head and neck can flush red, an emotional signal to others.

Their glorious wingspan ranges from 8 to 10 feet, the largest of any North American birth. various wings

the largest of any North American bird.

Condors are so large that

gliding with their wings spread stiff,

they are often mistaken for a distant airplane. Condors or scavengers, feasting on the carcass of large mammals,

before humans settled in North America when mammoth and other mega creatures roamed the land,

the California condor thrived across the continent.

As those giant mammals died out, the condors territory was reduced and their numbers shrank.

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