This lifeform is found in the Pacific States and Provinces of North America. This lifeform is endangered and could quickly become extinct.

California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) was previously found from Florida to California. In later times, it was known from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Coast. However, by 1800 they were exterminated from all habitats except California. Recently, they were limited to the coastal mountain ranges of southern California. This species is typically from fifty to fifty-five inches long and has a wingspan over nine feet.

According to the ICBP Handbook, the population was down to eight hundred examples by l940, and by 1971 there were only about fifty examples. There has been considerable controversy regarding whether to leave the few remaining examples in the wild to certainly become extinct or to try and accomplish the impossible task of breeding them in captivity. Although there are still some examples in zoos, this bird is now considered extinct in the wild.

New World Vultures (Family Cathartidae) contains the following genera:  Cathartes, Coragyps, Gymnogyps, Sarcorhamphus, and Vultur. There are only seven species in this family which includes the Condors and the Vultures.  Recent DNA studies indicate that this family should properly be placed near the stork family.

Birds of Prey (Order Falconiformes) group contains the Eagles,
Hawks, and related birds. The majority of the species in this
group feed on small animals, fish, and other birds. A few species eat dead animals. Most of them are excellent fliers and
have very strong legs and claws for grasping their prey.

Aves contains about 8,650 different species of living birds known to science. Each year about one new species is discovered in some remote rain forest or remote island. In addition, scientists have been raising many subspecies to full species status which may raise the species count to 10,000.

However, each year about one species goes extinct. The rate of extinction is increasing, and the rate of new discovery is decreasing, so that the number of bird species will soon begin to decline rapidly. Although different taxonomists would organize the birds differently, there are approximately twenty-seven orders of birds. These orders are broken down into about one hundred and fifty-five different families.

Recent research of the genetic structure of some of the shore birds and owls would indicate that the present organization of orders and families should have some modification.

The birds are a worldwide group of animals that are characterized by having the front limbs modified into wings that are used for flying. Perhaps the most unique feature of the birds is the feathers. These feathers are made up of a central support called a quill and a series of small filaments that are hooked together as barbs.

For many years it was believed that Archaeopteryx discovered in Bavaria was the oldest bird from about 150 million years ago.  However, in l986, Sankar Chattterjee, a Texas paleontologist, reportedly discovered a bird in the genus Protoavis that lived about 225 million years ago.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.