ABSTRACT
This chapter concerns with producing new knowledge about endangered species of birds that appears on the nature side, although its position becomes less clear on closer inspection. It argues varied conceptualizations of endangerment has shaped not only the way that ornithological knowledge but also focuses of ornithologists concern. At some risk of overemphasizing historical discontinuities, author divides the history of research and conservation of the California condor into four phases. In these phases, the archive of condor data and specimens was reimagined and reconstituted. It is difficult to precisely date the end of the salvage period for condors. The preservationist approach had emphasized the protection of condors from human harms, the managerial approach focuses on captive breeding and manipulation of reintroduced wild populations to ensure maximum population growth and genetic diversity. The extent to which the condor can be used to understand the epistemoontological path of endangered species, some possible future twists and turns in the species relationship with humans.
