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Ninja (729) is fortunate to follow in the footsteps of his foster brother, Redwood Son (665). He was hatched in the same nest tree; a giant redwood with a burned-out cavity high up in the branches. He showed-up to our field station in mid-January of 2015 after thoroughly exploring his natal canyon for three months after fledging. Ninja (729) acquired his name after the first time he was trapped to replace a broken transmitter. He evaded biologists as they tried to net him; biting, kicking, and bouncing around the pen with power and incredible agility.
In 2020, Ninja (729) became infamously known as the condor who raided Iniko (1031)'s nest after the Dolan Fire claimed the life of her father, Kingpin (167). The ensuing fight between Ninja (729) and Iniko's mother, Redwood Queen (190), caused all three birds to tumble from the nest to the ground. Ninja (729) most likely saw an opportunity to take over Kingpin (167)'s former territory resulting in the melee. Not to worry, though, as all three of these birds survived the fall. Ninja's behavior in this scenario is considered to be completely normal for a California Condor and we still love him despite the commotion that he caused! (See the explore.org nest cam footage of this incident below.)
Since that infamous event, Ninja (729) has continued to exhibit dominant behavior, and has increased his standing in the condor social hierarchy. In 2022, he established his own nesting territory and paired with Pinnacles female 828. Unfortunately, Condor 828 died of lead poisoning while their nest was in the incubation stage, and the nest failed as a result.
In 2023, Ninja’s (729) cunning intellect and dominant personality have not gone unnoticed by Pinnacles female 626. Condor 626 has been breeding age for more than six years now, but she has never nested or even shown much interest in a potential mate until she began spending time with Ninja (729). His tenacity and confidence seem to have been just what she was waiting for! Condor 626 has been hanging out near Ninja’s (729) nesting territory ever since, and we suspect she will lay an egg any day now.
In 2020, Ninja (729) became infamously known as the condor who raided Iniko (1031)'s nest after the Dolan Fire claimed the life of her father, Kingpin (167). The ensuing fight between Ninja (729) and Iniko's mother, Redwood Queen (190), caused all three birds to tumble from the nest to the ground. Ninja (729) most likely saw an opportunity to take over Kingpin (167)'s former territory resulting in the melee. Not to worry, though, as all three of these birds survived the fall. Ninja's behavior in this scenario is considered to be completely normal for a California Condor and we still love him despite the commotion that he caused! (See the explore.org nest cam footage of this incident below.)
Since that infamous event, Ninja (729) has continued to exhibit dominant behavior, and has increased his standing in the condor social hierarchy. In 2022, he established his own nesting territory and paired with Pinnacles female 828. Unfortunately, Condor 828 died of lead poisoning while their nest was in the incubation stage, and the nest failed as a result.
In 2023, Ninja’s (729) cunning intellect and dominant personality have not gone unnoticed by Pinnacles female 626. Condor 626 has been breeding age for more than six years now, but she has never nested or even shown much interest in a potential mate until she began spending time with Ninja (729). His tenacity and confidence seem to have been just what she was waiting for! Condor 626 has been hanging out near Ninja’s (729) nesting territory ever since, and we suspect she will lay an egg any day now.
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