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Birdwatching in Madeira

 Casa Velha do Palheiro

 Choupana Hills

 Quinta do Furão

 Madeira Wind Birds

 Windsor

Birdwatching in Madeira

History tells that when discovers of Madeira, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, made their first recognition of the coast and interior of the island, in 1420, they had not found other living creatures than birds and some harmless wall lizards (Lacerda dugesii) on shore and Monk Seals on the coast and sea.

Since 1772 there are registers of naturalists and ornithologists who had spent much of their time studying Madeira birds and its characteristics, like their smaller size due to the island habitat.

This way, as birds live in Madeira long before Man does, certain species had adapt to this type of habitat and are now considered endemic. From the 40 species that breed in the Archipelago there are 3 species (Zino’s Petrel, Trocaz Pigeon and Madeira Firecrest) and 6 subspecies (Berthelot’s Pipit, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail, Linnet and Barn Owl) that only exist in Madeira.

Endemic to the Macaronesia - geographical region composed by the archipelagos of Madeira, Azores, Canary Islands and Cape Verde) are another 4 species (Canary, Plain Swift, Fea’s Petrel and Madeira Storm Petrel) and 13 subspecies (Blackbird, Blackcap, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Quail, Rock Pigeon, Rock Sparrow, Sparrowhawk, Spectacled Warbler, Little Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, White-faced Storm Petrel and Yellow-legged Gull).

Beyond the diversity of endemic species and subspecies, Madeira has more than 200 different registers on regular, irregular or accidental migratory species.

So, if you choose to come to Madeira Island in Summer, these are the species you may find:

Though if you are not so interested in sea birds, you may come during Winter as temperatures in Madeira on that season are also pleasant and you will be able to watch all land birds plus some migrants…