Condor Comeback

by Sy Montgomery (Author), Tianne Strombeck (Photographer)
(Scientists in the Field Series)
HMH Books for Young Readers (July 28, 2020), 0544816536

Condor Comeback (Scientists in the Field Series)

Sibert Medalist, National Book Award Honoree, and New York Times best-selling author Sy Montgomery turns her formidable talents to the story of California condors and the scientists who have fought against their extinction in this installment in the award-winning Scientists in the Field Series.

In April of 1987, the last wild California condor was captured and taken to live in captivity like the other 26 remaining birds of its kind. Many thought tha the days were over of this remarkable, distinguished bird that had roamed the skies of North and Central America for thousands of years.

Sy Montgomery employs her skill for on-the-ground reporting, shrewd observation, and stunning narrative prose to detail the efforts of scientists, volunteers and everyday citizens to get California condors back in the wild. Montgomery profiles scientists and volunteers at the Santa Barbara Zoo, universities, and federal agencies who have worked tirelessly to raise chicks, nurse sick birds back to health, and conduct research that can support legislation to ban the greatest threat to the survival of the wild condor: lead bullets.

In turns affectionate, frustrating and hopeful, Montgomery does justice to this magnificent but still critically endangered icon.

Coupled with world-class, full-color photos by Tianne Stromback, and along with helpful sidebars including one on the Chumash Indians’ enduring relationship with the bird, Condor Comeback is an inspiring story of groundbreaking science, preservation and cooperation.

Chronicle, Boston’s WCVB-TV’s long running show, visited Sy to create this fine introduction to Condor Comeback  There’s also plenty of Tia Strombeck’s stunning images of everyone’s favorite vulture, and star turns by Thurber, the snapping-turtle extraordinaire Fire Chief, and even the late, beloved pig Christopher Hogwood.  Watch it here.