of the bird seen in Alaska, but the bird I believe most closely matches the descriptions given in the majority of reports regarding sightings of "enormous birds" is the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus).
These birds are an overall black color, with a ruff of white to dirty gray feathers at the base of the neck. The head and neck of these condors is dark gray to black and bare of feathers, and the sharply hooked beak is ivory in color. Few (if any) "enormous bird" sightings have been at close enough proximity for the witnesses to determine with certainty whether or not the bird(s) they saw had feathers on the head and neck. The Andean Condor is known to fly several hundreds of miles at a time in search of food (primarily they eat well-aged carrion--more than 5 days old--but they will attack and kill newborn, sick, or weak animals.)
The male Andean Condor is larger than the female, weighing as much as 30 pounds, standing almost 5 feet tall and having a wingspan of up to 12 feet. The wings are very broad (a point noted about the bird seen in Alaska), which is necessary to support it's weight.
As with all vultures, the Andean Condor's feet are designed for walking rather than grasping, like the feet of eagles, hawks, etc. are, but they can hold and fly away with small animal carcasses.
Anyway, lecture is over--LOL! :-D
I wish someone would get a good photo of the bird seen in Alaska. I'd sure like to see it.
Posted on Oct 17, 2002, 5:55 AM from IP address 207.189.173.166