For the first time in more than 100 years, California condors are believed to be nesting inside the ancient redwoods of Northern California. This landmark event highlights the success of the Yurok Tribe’s long-term reintroduction program blending ecological restoration with cultural revival.
- Condors nesting in northern California after more than 100 years
- Effort driven by Yurok Tribe’s cultural and ecological goals
- Reintroduction program began releases in 2022
What happened
In early 2026, biologists observed behaviors consistent with nesting by a pair of California condors—known as A0 and A1—inside a cavity in an ancient redwood tree within the Yurok Tribe’s ancestral lands. GPS tracking and behavioral data strongly suggest these condors are incubating an egg, potentially the first confirmed nest in the Pacific Northwest in over a century.
This milestone follows decades of dedicated work by the Yurok Tribe and conservation partners, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Redwood National and State Parks. Since the first wild condors were released in 2022, the flock has grown, culminating in this promising sign of population recovery and habitat reoccupation.
Why it feels good
The return of California condors to the redwood forests is deeply meaningful for the Yurok people, for whom the condor—prey-go-neesh—is a sacred figure symbolizing renewal, balance, and cultural continuity. Beyond a conservation success, the project represents a healing of the relationship between tribe, land, and wildlife disrupted by past environmental damage and colonization.
This nesting event embodies hope not only for the species' survival but also for ecosystem health and Indigenous leadership in stewardship. It unites ecological restoration with honoring traditional knowledge and cultural practices, reinforcing community empowerment and pride.
What to enjoy or watch next
While confirmation of a fledgling condor remains challenging due to the nest’s remote location, the ongoing monitoring of this nesting pair promises important insights. The reintroduction program will continue to track and support condor survival and reproductive success within the redwood region and beyond.
Those interested in wildlife conservation and indigenous stewardship can follow updates from the Yurok Tribe’s Northern California Condor Restoration Program and enjoy the growing presence of these iconic birds soaring over their ancestral homeland.