인스타그램 스토리 뷰어

California condor global population exceeds 600 - a milestone for California condors!

As of December 31, 2025, the global population of California condor exceeded 600 individuals, including birds in the wild and those in zoos and breeding centers dedicated to their recovery. Together the partners in the California Condor Recovery Program have grown the free-flying, wild population from a low of 22 birds in 1982 back to almost 400 today. The wild population increased to 392 individuals, up from 373 in 2024, including captive breeding and release and chicks produced in the wild. In 2025, an estimated 16 condor chicks successfully fledged in the wild across six release sites. But the work is not done. The long-term goal is to grow the wild population to be self-sustaining.

The California Condor Recovery Program is an international program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration among many agencies and organizations. We thank our many partners dedicated to bringing this remarkable species back from the brink of extinction.

Photo 1 by Joseph Brandt/USFWS
Photo 2 courtesy of S. Herrera
Photo 3 by N. Weprin/USFWS
Photo 4 courtesy of Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe #californiacondor

California condor global population exceeds 600 - a milestone for California condors!

As of December 31, 2025, the global population of California condor exceeded 600 individuals, including birds in the wild and those in zoos and breeding centers dedicated to their recovery. Together the partners in the California Condor Recovery Program have grown the free-flying, wild population from a low of 22 birds in 1982 back to almost 400 today. The wild population increased to 392 individuals, up from 373 in 2024, including captive breeding and release and chicks produced in the wild. In 2025, an estimated 16 condor chicks successfully fledged in the wild across six release sites. But the work is not done. The long-term goal is to grow the wild population to be self-sustaining.

The California Condor Recovery Program is an international program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration among many agencies and organizations. We thank our many partners dedicated to bringing this remarkable species back from the brink of extinction.

Photo 1 by Joseph Brandt/USFWS
Photo 2 courtesy of S. Herrera
Photo 3 by N. Weprin/USFWS
Photo 4 courtesy of Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe #californiacondor

California condor global population exceeds 600 - a milestone for California condors!

As of December 31, 2025, the global population of California condor exceeded 600 individuals, including birds in the wild and those in zoos and breeding centers dedicated to their recovery. Together the partners in the California Condor Recovery Program have grown the free-flying, wild population from a low of 22 birds in 1982 back to almost 400 today. The wild population increased to 392 individuals, up from 373 in 2024, including captive breeding and release and chicks produced in the wild. In 2025, an estimated 16 condor chicks successfully fledged in the wild across six release sites. But the work is not done. The long-term goal is to grow the wild population to be self-sustaining.

The California Condor Recovery Program is an international program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration among many agencies and organizations. We thank our many partners dedicated to bringing this remarkable species back from the brink of extinction.

Photo 1 by Joseph Brandt/USFWS
Photo 2 courtesy of S. Herrera
Photo 3 by N. Weprin/USFWS
Photo 4 courtesy of Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe #californiacondor

California condor global population exceeds 600 - a milestone for California condors!

As of December 31, 2025, the global population of California condor exceeded 600 individuals, including birds in the wild and those in zoos and breeding centers dedicated to their recovery. Together the partners in the California Condor Recovery Program have grown the free-flying, wild population from a low of 22 birds in 1982 back to almost 400 today. The wild population increased to 392 individuals, up from 373 in 2024, including captive breeding and release and chicks produced in the wild. In 2025, an estimated 16 condor chicks successfully fledged in the wild across six release sites. But the work is not done. The long-term goal is to grow the wild population to be self-sustaining.

The California Condor Recovery Program is an international program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration among many agencies and organizations. We thank our many partners dedicated to bringing this remarkable species back from the brink of extinction.

Photo 1 by Joseph Brandt/USFWS
Photo 2 courtesy of S. Herrera
Photo 3 by N. Weprin/USFWS
Photo 4 courtesy of Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe #californiacondor

Find someone who makes you want to sing and dance like these black-footed albatross!

These beautiful seabirds, named ka’upu in Hawaiian, began arriving on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in November, excitedly reuniting with mates they haven’t seen since summer.

The first ka’upu chicks will start hatching right about now on the wildlife refuge in the northwestern reaches of the Hawaiian archipelago.

USFWS volunteer video: Dan Rapp

Meet the Fat Sleeper AKA "Jade Sleeper Goby" AKA "Storm Minnow" 🐟⛈️

Prized for their blue spot and legendary as bait for big snook and other sportfish, the frowny-faced Fat Sleeper is valued wherever it is: judging you from your aquarium, breathing air from the top of its head while trying to avoid becoming candy for herons, predicting storms, or unlocking nutrients from mangroves to benefit the entire food chain. You'll learn how this native fish is the ultimate survivor, where it lives, and all about its weird "parade" and sticky eggs. Guest Eddie Perry joins from our Peninsular Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office to build appreciation for this wonderful fish.

Catch new episodes every Monday on our FWS website or wherever you get your podcasts and please let us know what fish you'd like us to cover this season on Fish of the Week. If you liked this episode, you might also like "Florida's Remarkable Opossum Pipefish" (S5:E14)🎣

A FAT Fat Sleeper. 📷 Fletcher Stone CC BY-NC 4.0 #AllTheFish #Fish

Good news: Western snowy plover population exceeds 3,000, a recovery milestone!

Every year, biologists, volunteers and conservationists from Washington State to San Diego, California, come together for one purpose: to count a tiny bird the size of a sparrow, the western snowy plover.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Back in 2023, the count revealed just 2,336 snowy plovers. In 2024, that number rose to 2,676. And in 2025, the most recent survey, the count reached 3,018 — breaking 3,000 for the first time since the recovery plan was developed.

Visit our story to read the full story.

Photos by Micah Ashford/USFWS

Good news: Western snowy plover population exceeds 3,000, a recovery milestone!

Every year, biologists, volunteers and conservationists from Washington State to San Diego, California, come together for one purpose: to count a tiny bird the size of a sparrow, the western snowy plover.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Back in 2023, the count revealed just 2,336 snowy plovers. In 2024, that number rose to 2,676. And in 2025, the most recent survey, the count reached 3,018 — breaking 3,000 for the first time since the recovery plan was developed.

Visit our story to read the full story.

Photos by Micah Ashford/USFWS

Good news: Western snowy plover population exceeds 3,000, a recovery milestone!

Every year, biologists, volunteers and conservationists from Washington State to San Diego, California, come together for one purpose: to count a tiny bird the size of a sparrow, the western snowy plover.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Back in 2023, the count revealed just 2,336 snowy plovers. In 2024, that number rose to 2,676. And in 2025, the most recent survey, the count reached 3,018 — breaking 3,000 for the first time since the recovery plan was developed.

Visit our story to read the full story.

Photos by Micah Ashford/USFWS

Good news: Western snowy plover population exceeds 3,000, a recovery milestone!

Every year, biologists, volunteers and conservationists from Washington State to San Diego, California, come together for one purpose: to count a tiny bird the size of a sparrow, the western snowy plover.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Back in 2023, the count revealed just 2,336 snowy plovers. In 2024, that number rose to 2,676. And in 2025, the most recent survey, the count reached 3,018 — breaking 3,000 for the first time since the recovery plan was developed.

Visit our story to read the full story.

Photos by Micah Ashford/USFWS

Breathe it all in.

Blue skies, green mountains and wetlands for days. Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on the rugged north shore of Kaua‘i was established in 1972 to help protect habitat for endangered birds.

From a new refuge observation point, birders may get a chance to see koloa, ae‘o and nēnē, aka Hawaiian duck, Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian goose, respectively.

USFWS video: Jen Waipa

Video description: Still shot of wetland in foreground with tropical forest and green mountain peaks in the background, on a partly cloudy day.

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

From Washington to the great American outdoors. 🌲🇺🇸🇬🇧

King Charles III visited Shenandoah National Park today, celebrating a shared love of nature and conservation.

⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah is part of an ancient landscape once joined to the Scottish Highlands, linking the UK and U.S. through a shared mountain range millions of years in the making.

From meeting Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, National Park Service staff, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historians, and Junior Rangers to spending time with Buddy the Eagle and leaders of the Monacan Indian Nation, the visit reflects the natural beauty, living history, and deep connections that make this place so meaningful.

#GreaterTogether #America250 #StateVisit2026

Consider this a friendly reminder! 🦨

Although skunks are generally nocturnal, it is not unusual to see them out and about during the daytime as the weather warms. Skunks do not officially hibernate over winter, but they do enter a state of reduced activity known as torpor. As temperatures warm up, so does their activity.

They emerge from torpor with an increased appetite (and some have young to care for!). Even if it is the middle of the day, keep your eyes peeled for these black and white critters and be sure to maintain a respectful distance.

📸Michael Schramm/USFWS

Forever Young? Meet the Barton Springs Salamander! 🦎

While most amphibians grow up, undergo metamorphosis, and leave the water, the Barton Springs Salamander stays in its youthful, aquatic form for life—a phenomenon called neoteny. That means it keeps its feathery gills and underwater lifestyle even as an adult.

Why does this happen? Neoteny can be influenced by genetics and the environment, and in this case, it lets the salamander live in the unique spring habitat in central Texas.

Photo: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

We've got a new Fish of the Week podcast episode for you (S6:E17 - Convict Cichlids & America's "Goldilocks" Waters) 🐟

In waters that are "just right" across America, you can find colorful, unfamiliar fish living on the edge. We offer fishing tips and explore American's bizarre relationship with certain fish. Unfortunately, this isn't a fairy tale: we also learn how introducing unwanted aquarium pets into hot springs puts our own unique native fish at risk. Our guest is Matt Miller from The Nature Conservancy.

Catch a new episode every Monday on our website or wherever you get your podcasts and let us know what species you'd like to learn more about! 🎣

A Convict Cichlid caught in California. 📷 Californiafishlover CC-BY NC 4.0 #AllTheFish

We’re celebrating one of the founding birds in California condor conservation, Topa Topa, who turns 60 years old this month. 🎂
 
Topa Topa was originally recovered from the wild as a young fledging in Ventura County in 1967, the same year California condors were listed as endangered, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and The Aububon Society. Weighing just 17 pounds and struggling to survive, he was transported to the L.A. Zoo for critical care. Although he regained strength, field observations revealed no adult condors nearby to guide him, which is essential for young condor survival. So a decision was made to return him to the L.A. Zoo where he lived under their care.
 
By 1982, only 22 condors survived in the wild, and to prevent the species’ extinction, the California Condor Recovery Program began capturing the remaining wild birds. Five years later, all remaining wild condors had joined Topa Topa in captivity in Los Angeles or down in San Diego. Together these condors, under the expertise of our zoological partners, launched the captive breeding program.
 
Today, Topa Topa’s lineage stands as a powerful testament to the success of the program. His genetic legacy includes roughly 300 birds, with about 100 currently contributing to the recovery effort as mentors or breeding condors, and 94 soaring free in the wild today.
 
The California Condor Recovery Program is an international program led by the USFWS in collaboration among many agencies and organizations. We thank our many partners dedicated to bringing this remarkable species back from the brink of extinction, including the @lazoo where Topa Topa is still part of the breeding program.

Photos courtesy of the L.A. Zoo

Laysan albatross have the best built-in navigation.

These incredible seabirds, called mōlī in Hawaiian, fly many thousands of miles across the northern Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to Japan and even Mexico. And when it’s time to nest again, most of them find the tiny Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, locating their precise nesting site from prior years, down to a few feet.

According to the annual survey completed in January, nearly 618,000 active nests were counted on the refuge’s 2.4 square miles of land, with the vast majority being mōlī nests. Midway Atoll NWR is the world’s largest albatross colony.

Once a mōlī pair’s solitary egg is hatched, the unique call of their fledgling can also help the parents find their chick when returning from a feeding excursion.

As chicks get stronger they will have more independent time and stray further from the nest before eventually fledging in the summer.

By late August, all of the albatross will have fledged and departed for sea. The young mōlī will spend three to five years at sea before returning to their nesting colony to find a forever mate.

USFWS volunteer video: Dan Rapp

Video description: Wide landscape shot shows thousands of downy gray seabird chicks on simple ground nests, nothing more than small clearings in the green groundcover, with white-chested adults mixed in and trees in the distant background.

“Quick everyone, look intimidating!”

Well, 3 out of 4 isn't too bad. The bird in the middle though... 👁️🔻👁️

Ospreys require a nest with a view, usually constructed on a snag, treetop, or human-built platform. Nests are often reused by a pair year after year. They will add to the construction of last year’s nest, making it stronger. After a few generations, the nests get deeper and wider – measuring several feet deep and between 3-6 feet in diameter.

📸Alex Arrow/USFWS