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While he was still in his egg, Fuego (470) was transferred from Los Angeles Zoo to a wild Big Sur nest in a portable incubator. He hatched without a problem but was rather small for his age and did not seem to grow quickly until he was three months old. At around four months old, he began climbing out of the nest cavity and clumsily exploring the "front porch." His confidence and coordination gradually grew so he could start flying short distances. In June of 2008, the gigantic Basin Complex wildfire engulfed the canyon he was in and approached the cliff-side nest. Thankfully, the fire never got close enough to harm him. Only months later, a helicopter collided with a nearby power line and caused another fire in the vicinity of his nest. After surviving two separate wildfires, it was easy to pick "Fuego" as this bird's nickname!
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His plucky spirit and spectacular flying skills make him a wonderful addition to the Big Sur flock. Fuego (470) has also been a member of not one, but two different trios! Along with his foster father, Amigo (204), he first paired with Pinnacles National Park Condor (5340). The trio was successfully able to raise their chick, Laura's Bird (842). Unfortunately shortly after Laura's Bird (842) fledged, Pinnacles National Park Condor (534) went missing. The following breeding season Fuego (470) and his foster father added another female to their group, Kodama (646). They successfully raised their chick, Katie's Bird (1003)​, but now it seems that Fuego (470) has left the trio in order to search for his own mate.