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Northwest Condor Field Work

Looking back to prepare for what's ahead

Aerial photo surveys in the Willamette Valley
Photo©: D. Shephardson

Stage 1: Does habitat exist?

Beginning in 2006 the Oregon Zoo funded the field work of then graduate student David Moen, in his effort to initiate the first condor habitat surveys in the region. David's interdisciplinary degree in the Leadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning (LECL) at Portland State University allowed him to do both biological and ethnographic field work and he was awarded a masters in science education for his groundbreaking work on the former PNW condor population. These photos demonstrate the survey methods and diverse terrain Moen encountered in his first searches for cliff cave nesting habitat.

Scoping out cliff in The Dalles Photo©: J. Landis

Potential nest caves at Smith Rock state park
Photo©: C. Mcintosh

Searching for caves near Mt. Adams Photo©: J. Scherer

Climbing old growth spruce searching for fire caves Photo©: B. French

Stage 2: Could condors have used these caves?

Moen's surveys have shown that nesting habitat was not a limiting factor for condors in the Northwest. After surveys are complete in a particular area, Moen climbs into cave sites to inspect the dimensions to see if condors would have preferred them in times past or if they hold potential for the future; even rare old-growth tree caves may hold condor breeding secrets.

After potential nest sites are verified, Moen works closely with archaeologists, rope technicians and others to search for evidence that breeding condors once used these sites.

Rappelling to a cave in the coast range Photo©: J. Snyder/Freesolo Photography

Columbia River Gorge cave Photo©: B. Price

Turkey vulture egg shells and feathers found in a nest cave in The Gorge Photo©: S. O'Connor/Freesolo Photography

Stage 3: Do potential nest sites hold evidence?

One indication that he is on the right path is his discovery of turkey vulture nests. Moen has found several and continues to look for feather quills, egg shell fragments, bone material and whitewash to identify nest sites that he samples for condor remains.

Currently, Moen is working with volunteer and climbing expert Bill Price to collect sediment samples that are sent to The University of Copenhagen for DNA analysis. As he continues to document new sites for potential future use, Moen believes it will only be a matter of time and expertise before hard evidence of former nesting emerges.

Field researcher David Moen and Yakama Nation archaeologist David Powell search for condor breeding clues
Photo©: D. Smalley/Freesolo Photography

Stage 4: Who cares about vulture nests?

Once vulture nests and any evidence that link sites to condors are located its time to get the word out. The photos to the left show reporters from OPB's Oregon Field Guide (top) and KGW Local News (bottom) covering condor research in the Northwest.

Read the Oregonian article, "Chasing the condor's shadow."

This map displays the areas the Oregon Zoo is currently focusing on with its partners to conduct field research: