Cheered by Crowd, Condors Take Wing

For the first time in 72 years, the largest and rarest bird in North America took flight over northern Arizona’s cliffs and canyons in an effort by scientists to bring California condors back from the brink. A biologist atop the 1,000-foot cliffs opened a pen on a rocky ledge where six young condors have lived since Oct. 29. The fledglings walked out a few minutes apart to the cheers of 500 bird watchers below. Ten minutes later, one condor flapped awkwardly to a ledge 50 yards away. The rest, all 6 to 7 months old, soon followed.