Andean condor surprises on Esmeraldas coast: where did it come from? There is a hypothesis

The unexpected appearance of an Andean condor on the coast of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, has sparked curiosity and concern. Sebastián Kohn, president of the Cóndor Andino Foundation, suggests the subadult female condor might have originated from a population in northern Peru's Illescas peninsula. He believes climate conditions associated with El Niño could have driven its unusual journey to the Ecuadorian coast. This theory is supported by recent sightings of other species typically found off the Peruvian coast in Ecuador. The condor, which has been in the area for nearly a month, appears active but its plumage is not in optimal condition, and it had an empty stomach when observed. Researchers believe it may be finding food, possibly carrion, alongside local vultures. The Ministry of Environment is monitoring the bird and has urged the public to avoid approaching, feeding, or capturing it. Genetic analysis is being considered to determine if the condor belongs to Ecuador's or Peru's population, a distinction Kohn notes is significant due to the differing environments and genetic isolation of these groups.

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the presence of the specimen could be related to a population of condors that lives in northern Peru.