Condor Biographies

Tatoosh:

“Tatoosh” is a Native American word for Thunderbird--a mythological creature common in the legends of Indigenous peoples of North America. Sadly, the condor, which was believed to be the Thunderbird in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, has disappeared from its native Oregon territory and struggles to maintain a foothold on survival in California, Arizona and Idaho. 

When Tatoosh was born in April 2005, she was the second condor to be hatched in Oregon in more than a century.  Now, as a strong adult bird, Tatoosh is ready for release into the wild.  With Tatoosh and other condors taking to the sky, another legend of Thunderbird is born -- the legend of survival.

Tama:

Tama is the star of the show, with plenty of fire and spunk. She was captured from the wild in 1985 as part of an operation to save the California condor population, which was estimated at only 17 birds remaining in the wild.

Coming from the wild, Tama is extremely valuable as a breeding founder bird. During her time in the captive-rearing program, Tama has laid numerous eggs and successfully raised many chicks. It is important for baby condors to have strong role models, because chicks pattern their behavior after adults. Tama’s experience in the wild allows her to teach her chicks how to survive once they are released.

Tama is also known for her dominant personality and the way she throws her weight around.  She has built a reputation as a girl who likes her space.  She never shies from conflict with other female birds, and usually comes out victorious.

Mandan:

As is the case in the wild, male condors run the show.  Mandan is no exception, as he quietly maintains order in his own laid-back and relaxed way.

His parents came from the wild, but he was puppet-reared in captivity, making Mandan first generation bird in the recovery program.

137:

Condor 137 is the mate for 147. He is the other half of a very successful condor parenting team, and keepers anticipate his continued success as a condor foster father.

147:

The unnamed condors 147 and 137 were already a pair when they arrived from the Los Angeles Zoo. They are wonderful birds that have successfully fostered several chicks at the Oregon Zoo and the Los Angeles Zoo. Their remarkable parenting abilities have been noted by members of the Condor Recovery Team. They are considered a very steady pair.

After 147 laid her first egg at the Los Angeles Zoo, the keepers successfully encouraged her to accept a chick after only 11 days of incubating a “dummy” or an artificial egg.  Normal incubation time for a condor egg is between 54 and 58 days.  It was uncertain how many days a condor would incubate a dummy egg before accepting a fully hatched chick in its place.  But, she accepted the chick and has proven to be a great condor parent.

Woy:

Woy and Wiloq became a successful breeding pair for the first time in 2005 (sadly, their first chick did not survive). Keepers describe both Woy and Wiloq as laid-back birds and are hoping for successful future breeding.  They seem to be the "homebodies" of the condor group.

“Woy has always been a doting dad,” says Shawn St. Michael, assistant condor curator. “He’s helped his chicks learn how to feed, communicate, groom and just be well-rounded condors. He’s helped teach all the skills that are critical for survival in the wild,” he added.

Wiloq:

Wiloq laid her first egg in 2005, with mate Woy. Any time an animal lays an egg for the first time, it can be a challenge. As a first time mother not knowing what to do, Wiloq laid in the holding pen instead of the nest room and her egg cracked in the process.  The egg was repaired and sent to the San Diego Wild Animal Park; unfortunately, the chick died during the hatching process there.

Paxa:

Paxa is a proven breeder and an excellent father. However, his "interior decorating" talents have probably garnered him the most fame at the Jonsson Center for Wildife Conservation. Paxa is quite particular about his nesting space and decorates his room to his tastes. Decorations have included a calf leg, rabbit spine, and a number of large primary feathers. When Paxa was nest grooming early in the breeding season, keepers observed that he would spend hours in the nest room getting everything just the way he wanted. Oh, and he likes his nest room quiet.