Ep. Tonni et Ji. Noriega, The condors (Ciconiiformes : Vulturidae) of the Pampean region of Argentina during the late Cenozoic: Distribution, interactions and extinctions, AMEGHINIANA, 35(2), 1998, pp. 141-150
The fossil record of condors from the Upper Cenozoic of the Pampean region
is rich and diverse. The declination, retraction in range and extinction of
many taxa of "pampean" condors during Pliocene-Pleistocene times were prob
ably related to both climatic-environmental changes and reduction or loss o
f food supplies. The influence of the availability of food supplies was rem
arkable in the late Pleistocene because of the massive extinction of megahe
rbivorous mammals, the carcasses of which were the condor's main food sourc
e. Competition between condors and phorusrhacoid birds is proposed in light
of their scavenging habits.