Condor, common name for two species of large vultures, the Andean condor and the California condor. Condors are among the rarest birds in the world�their populations have declined dramatically in the 20th century due to excessive hunting, lead poisoning, and other causes. Like other vultures, condors have sharply hooked bills and strong feet with long sharp claws. Unlike other birds, however, condors lack a syrinx (voice box), and can utter only soft hissing sounds. Condors will sometimes attack living prey, but they usually feed on animal carcasses.