Degrees of Pink

The Andean Condor has many claims to fame, including being the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere, and being one of the longest-living birds on the planet, with a lifespan of around 50 years.

The bird below is a male, who resides at the Philadelphia Zoo. You can tell it's a male by its large fleshy comb (maybe that comb helps it steer mid-flight, like Rocketman). These birds have bare heads (the vulture trade mark), with flesh that is a dull red. But, depending its mood, the flesh can become flushed. I have an uncle with a similar trait: the degree to which his face is pink is directly proportional to the degree to which he is drunk. Remember, kids, friends don't let friends feed on carrion drunk. They don't know when to stop.

Photo by Art G.