Illustration of California condor
California condor
noun
Cal·i·for·nia condor
ˌka-lə-ˈfȯr-nyə- 
: a large nearly extinct vulture (Gymnogyps californianus) found most recently in the mountains of southern California that is related to the condor of South America
Examples of California condor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Environmentalists call the recovery a breathtaking success, similar to the comeback of other species once near extinction, like the California condor.
—
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
After an initial test of the vaccine on black vultures showed promise, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a trial involving 25 California condors —10 birds got two shots, 10 birds got one and five birds served as the control group.
—Karen Kucher, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
The world's 23 vulture species, including turkey vultures, black vultures and California condors (which are endangered) here in the U.S., have sharp vision to help them spot carrion from high above.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Zoetis has previously developed bird flu vaccines, including one deployed last year to protect California condors.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for California condor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
After an initial test of the vaccine on black vultures showed promise, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a trial involving 25 California condors —10 birds got two shots, 10 birds got one and five birds served as the control group.
—Karen Kucher, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
The world's 23 vulture species, including turkey vultures, black vultures and California condors (which are endangered) here in the U.S., have sharp vision to help them spot carrion from high above.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Zoetis has previously developed bird flu vaccines, including one deployed last year to protect California condors.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for California condor
Cite this Entry
“California condor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20condor. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
California condor
noun
Cal·i·for·nia condor
ˌkal-ə-ˌfȯr-nyə-
: a very large nearly extinct vulture of mountainous southern California that is related to the condor of South America
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share