“Wildlife biologists in far Northern California are beaming with cautious pride, as a pair of California condors appears to be tending to the region’s first wild egg in more than a century. Scientists haven’t been able to confirm the egg, but the behavior of the bird couple suggests they’re taking turns with incubation duties—a welcome bright spot for the critically endangered creatures…

…

Over the last four decades, the species has slowly started to rebound, thanks to captive breeding and wild release programs across the country. In 2019, wildlife officials celebrated the 1,000th California condor chick hatching since recovery efforts began. And as of December 2025, the total population stands at 607 birds, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That number includes 392 individuals flying freely in the wild, while the other 215 live in captivity.

California condors are some of the first birds to recover from a former ‘extinct in the wild’ status.”

From Smithsonian Magazine.