Sharon Eddy, age 11, of Skiatoolc, Oklahoma, for her question:

To what family does the condor belong?

The condor is an American vulture of the family Cathartidae. It is classified with other birds of prey in the Order Falconiformes. Condors are rare birds and seldom seen because they dwell in high, desolate places. The California condor was brought to public attention because it is rated high on the list of endangered species. The remaining few have a sanctuary high among the crags of Los Padres National Forest in Southern California. Nobody is sure how many still survive. Some say as few as 40, others hopefully think there are more.

This mighty relative of the vultures has a wing spread of nine feet and is North America's largest native bird. It is slow to multiply because the young do not mature until they are six years old. Then the females lay only one egg in two years. The South American condor of the Andes lays two eggs each year. Though not plentiful, they are in less danger than our threatened California condor.