Portugal is situated in the Mediterranean region, which is one of the world’s most important areas in terms of biodiversity.

Its landscape is very varied, with mountains and plains, hidden valleys and meadowland, extensive forests and groves, rocky coasts and never-ending beaches that stretch into the distance, estuaries, river deltas and coastal lagoons. With such a great variety of habitats, our country also presents one of the greatest diversities of birdlife in Europe, with roughly 360 regularlyoccurring species.

In mainland Portugal, there are roughly 70 species whose distribution is restricted to the region of the Mediterranean basin (e.g. Greater Flamingo, Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Collared Pratincole, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Red-necked Nightjar, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous tailed Rock Thrush Orphean Warbler, Spanish Sparrow).

The coastal strip is the preferred place of migration for thousands of birds from dozens of different species. Hundreds of thousands of sea and coastal birds (gannets, shearwaters, sandpipers, plovers and terns), birds of prey (eagles and harriers), small birds (swallows, pipits, warblers, thrushes and shrikes) cross over our territory twice a year, flying between their breeding grounds in Europe and their winter stays in Africa.

In the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, there are important colonies of seabirds, such as the Cory’s Shearwater, Bulwer’s Petrel and Roseate Tern. There are also some endemic species on the islands, such as the Madeiran Storm Petrel, Madeiran Laurel Pigeon, Madeiran Firecrest or the Azores Bullfinch. One should also stress the importance of the Azores as a place where bird species may appear occasionally, flying in from the American continent.

Birdwatching in Portugal is also made easier by the relatively small size of the country itself, the quality of its road network, its mild climate and its high level of public safety. Being included in the strategic tourist product of Nature Tourism, birdwatching is best complemented with other important regional features, such as fine gastronomy, excellent wines and a rich cultural heritage

Corvo.

The best place in Europe for watching american birds

Description

Pastureland (Intensive and semi-natural), coastal areas (cliffs, islets).

Species

Cory’s Shearwater, Little Shearwater, Common Quail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Black Duck, Ringnecked Duck, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Wood Pigeon, Common Nighthawk, Yellowbilled Cuckoo, Common Blackbird, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird.

Birdwatching sites

Ribeira entre as Cancelas, Ribeira do Cantinho, Ribeira da Amoreira, Fojo, Ribeira do Poço de Água, Ribeira da Ponte, Ribeira do Cerrado das Vacas, Ponta do Marco, Vila Nova do Corvo, Caldeirão.

Other attractions in the area

Diving, observing whales and dolphins.

Happy discoveries!