#566 “Mike’s Bird”
Sex: Male
Hatch Location & Date: LA Zoo, 4/22/2010
Release Date: 11/29/2012
Parents: #145 and #174
Offspring: #1004
This pioneering condor was our first captive-bred released bird of the 2011 winter season. He was introduced to the wild by our unforgettable field crew leader, Mike Tyner. Less than a day after this bird's release, a terrible wind storm swept up suddenly on the coast ridge, taking Mike's life in a tragic accident. "Mike's Bird" carries on his wings the memories of Mike's diverse and deeply felt contributions to the California Condor recovery effort. To learn more about Mike, click here.
Mike's Bird hangs out around redwood groves near the ocean when he is in Big Sur. He has also been known to make visits to Sea Lion Cove to get his share of the carcasses that wash up on the coastline there. When the new VWS release site began in San Simeon in 2015, Mike's Bird immediately claimed the territory with his mate #597. The pair attempted to nest in the San Simeon area for two years but were unfortunately unsuccessful. #597 died after their second failed nesting attempt. #566 is still the dominant male in San Simeon and has since repaired with San Simeon release #711 and Pinnacles Condor #725. The trio raised their first chick, #1004, who unfortunately died in the Dolan Fire in 2020. #566 was later determined to be the biological father of #1004.
Mike's Bird hangs out around redwood groves near the ocean when he is in Big Sur. He has also been known to make visits to Sea Lion Cove to get his share of the carcasses that wash up on the coastline there. When the new VWS release site began in San Simeon in 2015, Mike's Bird immediately claimed the territory with his mate #597. The pair attempted to nest in the San Simeon area for two years but were unfortunately unsuccessful. #597 died after their second failed nesting attempt. #566 is still the dominant male in San Simeon and has since repaired with San Simeon release #711 and Pinnacles Condor #725. The trio raised their first chick, #1004, who unfortunately died in the Dolan Fire in 2020. #566 was later determined to be the biological father of #1004.
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