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After a record-breaking 2025, this year—due to failed nesting and adult deaths—the Central Coast California condors flock number has dropped from 114 to 106 birds.
That’s according to Pinnacles National Park Condor Recovery Program manager Alacia Welch, who referred to this year’s stats as “disappointing.”
The Central Coast flock is managed by Pinnacles National Park in San Benito County and the Ventana Wildlife Society in Monterey County.
According to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest land bird in North America. The condor’s wingspan is typically about 9.5 feet and the birds can weigh up to 20 pounds. Though their exact lifespan is unknown, it’s estimated they can live more than 60 years.
As “obligate scavengers,” they feed on everything from ground squirrels to beached whales. Condors require vast territories that provide ample food and shelter. They are capable of flying more than 200 miles in a day, using their massive wings to glide the long distances with minimal effort.
According to Welch, since the beginning of the year, eight birds have died and three are missing. Missing birds are not ruled deceased until they have been gone for one year.
Causes of death
Pinnacles National Park: Condors 912 and 986 died from lead poisoning. A necropsy is pending for Condor 996. Condors 589 and 827 died during lead treatment.
Ventana Wildlife Society: A necropsy is pending for Condor 646, and a mortality signal is being emitted for Condor 1031. Missing: condors 995, 1034 and 1042.
Condor 1031 has not been found because the signal is coming from an inaccessible area, according to Ventana Wildlife Society.
Nests lost
Welch told BentoLink that Pinnacles had two nesting trios this year, which is not uncommon in condors. One of the trios consisted of two females, which resulted in a rare nest of two eggs. However, both eggs failed. One egg disappeared and the other was not fertile. Condors 589 and 569 also nested and had their nest fail.
Flight patterns
Welch said condors continue to fly further afield since the beginning of the program, frequently flying to Henry Coe State Park in Gilroy. Female Condor 1308 has flown to Southern California several times, spending time with the flock there managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.
Other updates
According to the Yurok Tribe, the Northwest flock established by the tribe in 2022 nested in 2026. The nest, which included Condors 969 and 973, is the first in Northern California in more than 100 years. The nest, however, failed. Another of the birds, Condor 1268, flew into Oregon, breaking a 122-year gap in their occurrence there. Condors can soar up to 250 miles per day and the flight to Oregon is about 100 miles.
Condor numbers to date
Total: 596; Central Coast: 206 overall; wild: 381; captive: 215. Statistics provided by Ventana Wildlife Society.
Timeline through 2023, courtesy of Ventana Wildlife Society.
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