California Condor Nest - Big Sur, California, USA

Very few people ever get to see inside a California condor nest, but this camera does, high on the wild central coast of Big Sur, where these giant birds soar over cliffs and redwood canyons.

The condor is North America's largest bird, with wings that can stretch about 9.5 feet (2.9 m) from tip to tip, and it takes family life slowly. A pair usually raises just one chick every other year, laying a single egg in late winter or spring and taking turns to keep it warm for about two months.

Once the fluffy chick hatches, it stays in or near the nest for around six months before its first flight, so if the nest is empty, the pair may simply be resting up for next season.

Did You Know? In 1987, just 27 California condors were left on Earth, and all of them were taken into captivity to save the species. Every condor flying today descends from those 27 birds.

See more live bird cams, explore the Wildlife collection, browse live webcams in the United States, discover the best nest webcams for kids, or explore our Live Webcam Map.