The Condors of Colca Canyon

Posted byMichael CookPosted in2. International, Peru, South AmericaTags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Andean condor soars over Colca Canyon, Peru. A key memorable highlight from my camera club talk on a journey th=rough Latin America

In our journey from Mexico to Rio, we have made it as far as Arequipa. This meant we had the option for a two day side trip to visit the Colca Canyon and hopefully see Andean Condors. This is a bird I have always wanted to see since it is widely recognised as the largest bird of prey in the world.

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1 Day 1 – Patapampa Pass
2 Day 2 – Colca Canyon
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5 Discover more from WildScot Photography
Day 1 – Patapampa Pass

After leaving the city we climbed constantly until we were over 4,000m. At this point we started to see numerous Vicuñas, a wild relative of the Llama and Alpaca.

They seemed very at home in this wild habitat with Volcanos, Mountains and long plains providing the setting.

Blue bird art: A vibrant painting of a nuthatch perched on a branch, looking upwards.

We stopped a couple of times to take photos.

  • Two vicuñas standing in a grassy field, backs to the camera, looking right.
    Vicunas
  • Vicuña walking in the Andes mountains. Wild South American camelid with tan fur and slender legs.
  • Vicuna standing in a dry, rocky landscape. Wild South American camelid with golden fur.
  • Vicuna walking through dry, grassy Andean highlands. Wildlife in South America.
  • Two vicuñas grazing in a grassy Andean highland landscape under a blue sky.

A bit further on we stopped by some wetlands where I was pleased to see the Andean Negrito for the first time. Some grazing Alpacas were here too.

  • Blue bird art: A vibrant painting of a nuthatch perched on a branch, looking upwards.
    Andean Negrito
  • Ducks diving headfirst in rippled water, foraging for food in a pond.
    Puna Teal
  • Fluffy alpaca standing in a dry, grassy field.
    Alpaca
  • Tan alpaca with fluffy fleece resting outdoors in a dry, hilly landscape.
  • Guanaco grazing in a golden grassland.
    Llama
  • Guanaco grazing in a golden, grassy Andean landscape. South American wildlife.

Interestingly we could see the active Volcano Sabancaya erupting regularly throughout our journey.

Volcano erupting with ash plume against a blue sky, arid landscape in foreground.

After peaking at a breathless 4,900m we headed down into the town of Chivay for the night.

Day 2 – Colca Canyon

We were up early the next morning and driving through the ancient terraces of the Colca Valley.

  • Long-tailed tit bird perched on a gold leaf branch, painted by T.J. Oldham.
  • Long-tailed tit bird perched on a gold leaf branch, painted by T.J. Oldham.
  • Long-tailed tit bird perched on a gold leaf branch, painted by T.J. Oldham.

Before long we arrived at Colca Canyon and the particular viewpoint Cruz del Condor.

The first Condor we saw was a juvenile (brown plumage).

  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.

Before long we saw numerous full adults too which were spectacular with the white collars and black and white wings. I was definitely in my happy place firing off hundreds of shots as these magnificent birds flew along the canyon wall sometimes just below, level or just above my viewpoint.

  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Blue tit bird painting on gold leaf background
  • Andean condor soars with wings spread wide against a backdrop of the Colca Canyon mountains.
  • Stack of pancakes with syrup and berries, a delicious breakfast recipe.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
  • Long-tailed tit bird perched on a gold leaf branch, painted by T.J. Oldham.

At one point a juvenile seemed to be testing an adult and they sparred for a while.

Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.

We walked back towards the van and looked in the nearby shrubs for hummingbirds or other small birds. I added two new species fairly quickly Oasis Hummingbird (regional endemic) and the Andean Hillstar. I took a photo of a very distant perched hummingbird which turned out to be a Giant Hummingbird too.

  • Cactus Wren perched on a cactus. Brown bird with yellow throat.
    Distant Giant Hummingbird
  • Hummingbird in flight with blurred background of dry brush and plants.
    Oasis Hummingbird
  • Hummingbird hovering near yellow flowers, feeding on nectar in a garden setting.
  • Hummingbird perched on desert plant, back view.
    Andean Hillstar
  • Brown hummingbird perched on a dry plant stem, facing left with a long, curved beak.
  • Dove perched on a spiky cactus, feathers ruffled in the sunlight.
    Black-Winged Ground Dove

This was really a stunning place with the combination of the canyon, habitat and birds enhancing each other to create a wonderful birding experience.

  • Blue tit perched on a wooden fence, showcasing its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.
    Condors soaring in front of viewing point
  • Colca Canyon's deep gorge, Peru, with sunlight highlighting the rugged landscape and distant mountains.
  • Cactus plant with mountains in background under clear blue sky
  • Colca Canyon, Peru, landscape with arid plants and cacti on a cliff overlooking the deep canyon.

Whilst birding hasn’t been our focus for much of our time in Peru (there is so much culture and trekking to enjoy too!) we have now seen 96 species of which 61 have been lifers and 40 have been photo lifers. The trip total is 1,046 of which 41 are heard only.

Black bird in flight, "Wild Scot" text. Scottish Wildlife Photos.

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Published by Michael Cook

Wildlife Photographer based in Scotland

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