California Condors
While condors are known for being a very interesting bird species, they only became more interesting in late 2021. For years, this condor species has been dangerously low to extinction with around 22 known still alive during the 1980s. This led to a breeding program, still ongoing today, to save the species. In late 2021, two deceased male California Condors were being studied by scientists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance known as SB260 and SB517. What they found was shocking! Neither of these male condors had a genetic contribution from any males in the breeding program.
This is important because none of the female condors had left captivity. Sadly, both of these male chicks died before reaching sexual maturity. SB260 lived for two years before its death, believed to be from malnourishment. SB517 was a little smaller than most male condors and died around eight years old of a foot infection. The lack of any male genetic contribution means the mothers of these male condors gave “virgin births,” also known as parthenogenesis. While this was previously seen in turkeys, pigeons, and chickens…none of the eggs survived hatching. Yet these male condors survived, proving parthenogenesis was possible among large birds.