The Portuguese Society of Bird Studies has identified a variety of great birding spots throughout southern Europe. In Albufeira do Rio Azibo, a town high on a plateau surrounded by majestic mountains, there is a good chance of spotting the tawny pipit. This bird has recently been dubbed Portugal’s national bird. To find out more, read on! Listed below are some of the best places to observe the birds of Portugal.
Family
The Family of Birds of Portugal includes 363 species and a wealth of information on their habitat, diet, habits, mating habits and more. The book is perfect for birdwatchers who want to explore the Portuguese landscape while still retaining their sense of curiosity. The book also covers all areas of Portugal including the Exclusive Economic Zone and Atlantic archipelagos such as Madeira and Savage Islands. There is also an appendix detailing the sightings of rare species. The book includes 253 maps and over 800 colour illustrations to give you a full understanding of Portugal’s birds.
The IICT bird collection is rich in endemisms, with nearly twenty-seven of the 27 endemic species in the country represented, as well as an additional seven shared with Annobon Island. The collection is home to thirteen of the fourteen endemic subspecies, including the critically endangered Sao Tome & Principe species. The collection includes specimens from all of the country’s islands, with an estimated 80% Portuguese-speaking.
The Spanish Imperial Eagle is perhaps the most striking member of the Family of Birds of Portugal. This migratory bird is the largest of the Portuguese eagles and has a limited range. It lives in open forests during the breeding season, but travels south toward Africa during the winter. Because it migrates so widely, it is difficult to spot them from the road. It also nests in protected areas and dense forests.
Habitat
The Cork oak forests of Portugal are home to millions of birds, including cork owls, little owls, black storks, Spanish imperial eagles, kites, nightingales, and sparrows. These trees provide nesting and feeding sites for many other species of birds, including the endangered Little Bustard and the endemic Stone Curlew. In addition, you can see rare and beautiful species of raptors, including the elusive and endangered Common Kestrel.
Birdwatchers can enjoy a wide variety of birdwatching opportunities throughout Portugal. The League for Protection of Nature and Fauna & Flora International have teamed up to create the Lynx Program, which aims to protect Portuguese cork oak forests and preserve their habitat for this majestic animal. This initiative demonstrates how local economic activities and conservation can coexist. Several species of birds and other animals are also listed on the Bird Checklists of the World, including the Iberian lynx and the Spanish imperial eagle.
Located in the Mid-West region of Portugal, the Porto Estuary is a spectacular area for birdwatching. At over 14,000 hectares, this is one of the largest wetlands in Europe and home to more than 240 species of birds. During the autumn migration season, this area is home to some of the country’s rarest species. This area is also a great destination for tourists interested in birdwatching.
Distribution
A bird-watching guide to Portugal can be an invaluable resource for anyone planning to explore this country’s diverse wildlife. The Portuguese Atlas of Breeding Birds provides detailed information on the distribution of birds in Portugal. It covers the entire country, including the Exclusive Economic Zone and Atlantic archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Savage Islands). The book includes maps, lists, and descriptions of 112 taxonomic units.
The majority of records of the Portuguese bird fauna are derived from scientific visits, mostly between 1946 and 1973. The main collectors were Fernando Frade and Rene de Naurois. In 1954, they coordinated a three-month scientific expedition to Sao Tome and Principe. The researchers visited the island again in 1970 to study the avifauna of the region. The Portuguese government and other organizations support scientific research in Portugal and are committed to preserving and enhancing biodiversity in the country.
Among the endemic species of Portugal, white storks are particularly vulnerable to the threat of electrocutions. These birds rely heavily on electrical poles to build their nests. As such, their populations are growing, and their nesting sites have become increasingly difficult to protect. Several white stork deaths have been linked to power outages and bird electrocution. This threatens the survival of the species and the well-being of citizens living in Portugal.
Breeding season
Autumn is a great time to observe the many species of birds that live in the Algarve region. During the first three weeks of September, when the weather is overcast, the vast majority of these birds migrate north. Many of them end up breeding on the Sagres peninsula, which becomes a fascinating bird watching venue. Several species of seabirds can be found on the Sagres peninsula. It is not uncommon to spot a Short-toed Eagle, a bird normally found in the sub-tropics, the Caribbean and the South Atlantic.
The Algarve region is rich in bird life, and the Alagoas Brancas lagoon, a natural freshwater lagoon in Lagoa, has been protected by campaigners. During breeding season, these lakes attract a diverse range of species. During the breeding season, German biologist Dr Manfred Temme extended his annual trip to the Algarve to observe the bird life there. The biologist is a frequent visitor to the Algarve, and he has conducted many studies in the area.
There are many places to view and observe the breeding season of the different species of birds in Portugal. The Sagres peninsula has some of the best places to observe national, European, and international rarities. There are also several bird species that are uncommon in other parts of the country. For instance, the elusive Sparrowhawk is also found in the Sagres peninsula. Despite the fact that they are elusive, the Sagres peninsula is a great place to observe these magnificent birds.
Conservation status
The “dizzying rate” at which a variety of wild birds are disappearing from the plains of Portugal’s Alentejan region has been criticised by environmentalists. Intensive farming and other environmental practices have largely contributed to the problem. In the past, environmentalists have filed complaints against Portugal’s state-run Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), alleging that ICNF has failed to protect birds by violating their legislation and failing to properly manage European funds meant for agriculture.
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Animals and Plants lists birds across the world, including Portugal. These lists include vultures, seabirds, shorebirds, and pardela-balear. The World Bank’s Bird Checklist of the World lists a list of threatened bird species, and includes notes on population status and habitat destruction. The list also includes species that are considered to be vulnerable, but conservation projects have helped decrease their threats.
Although there is a scavenger bird population in Portugal, its numbers are declining rapidly. Its numbers have dropped in 31 countries, and it is classified as “possibly extinct” in Portugal. The only exception to this situation is the pochard, which is hunted in some parts of the country. However, this population has recently begun to appear in the Braganca region. In fact, ICNF has recommended a series of conservation measures that will help to reduce the number of dead birds in Portugal.
Trends
One of the biggest threats to the native bird population in Portugal is the vulture, which has increasingly eschewed the country. According to scientists, only 13 carrion birds have ventured into Portugal in the past three years. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to strict regulations regarding the slaughter of cattle. In Portugal, vultures can no longer feed on human carcasses because of mad cow disease. This has forced farmers to put up carcass-removal barriers.
This new study provides an update of the status of Portuguese bird populations. This report includes a database of trends of occurrence, abundance, and population size. The information obtained is based on data collected by thousands of volunteers across 28 European countries. These data are freely available at the Zenodo data repository. It also includes national species indices and uncertainties. The information provided by the PECBMS is compiled for policymakers and researchers.
Exports of prepared birds’ skins from Portugal reached $X million in 2020. They expanded significantly and are expected to continue growing over the next few years. Portugal’s main destination for these exports was Spain, where the volume of exported skins was more than six times that of Bulgaria. Exports to Spain were on average +X% annually, but other major destinations saw lower growth. For the last thirteen years, the country’s exports of birds’ skins have been growing at a modest pace.
- Anjouan Sunbird and Other Birds of Comoros - July 23, 2022
- Check List For Birds of Iraq - June 29, 2022
- Birds of the Channel Islands: The Beauty of Nature - June 29, 2022