Andean condor

Description:

With a wingspan of up to 3.2 m/10.5 ft the andean condor is a large black vulture with a ruff of white feathers surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large white patches on the wings. The head and neck are nearly featherless, and are a dull red color, which may flush and therefore change color in response to the bird's emotional state. In the male, there is a wattle on the neck and a large, dark red comb or caruncle on the crown of the head. Unlike most birds of prey, the male is larger than the female.

Habitat:

Found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America. Even though it is a much better sight and a much better life for the bird there in the mountain cliffs than in a zoo we must admit that chances are really low on getting a close up from its head/face in the wild :-) This one lives in Pairi Daiza, Belgium.