Madeira is home to a wide variety of bird species. Located off the northwest coast of Africa in the North Atlantic Ocean, this Portuguese archipelago provides diverse habitats that support both resident and migratory birds throughout the year.
Overview of Birds in Madeira
Over 170 species of birds have been recorded in Madeira. The island’s native forests, shorelines, and mountainous terrain offer suitable nesting and feeding grounds for many types of birds. Madeira’s location along the East Atlantic Flyway also makes it an important stopover point for migratory birds traveling between Europe and Africa.
Some of the most notable birds found in Madeira include:
- Berthelot’s Pipit – An endemic passerine only found in Madeira and the nearby Canary Islands
- Plain Swift – Abundant summer migrant known for its acrobatic flying and aerial feeding
- Madeiran Firecrest – A subtype of firecrest unique to Madeira’s lush laurel forests
- Grey Wagtail – Widespread species often seen around mountain streams and levadas
- Atlantic Canary – Bright yellow wild canaries populating many parts of the island
In addition, Madeira’s seabird colonies are home to species like Cory’s shearwater, little shearwater, Madeiran storm petrel, and band-rumped storm petrel. Offshore islands like Ilhas Desertas host significant seabird breeding populations.
Resident Birds
Several bird species are year-round residents on Madeira. These birds nest and raise their young on the islands. Some remain on their breeding grounds all year while others may migrate vertically to lower elevations during winter.
Resident land birds include:
- Common kestrel
- Common buzzard
- Eurasian blackcap
- House sparrow
- European robin
- Common blackbird
- Berthelot’s pipit
- Atlantic canary
Coastal species such as the yellow-legged gull and sooty shearwater also remain throughout the year. The endangered Zino’s petrel is an endemic seabird that nests in the remote highlands of Madeira year-round.
Forest Birds
Madeira’s dense laurel forests provide excellent habitat for woodland birds. Many of these species are endemic subspecies, like the Madeiran firecrest and Madeiran chaffinch. Common forest birds include:
- Madeiran firecrest
- Eurasian blue tit
- Great spotted woodpecker
- Eurasian nuthatch
- European robin
- Madeiran chaffinch
- African blue tit
These birds forage for insects, seeds, and fruit within the forests. Some endemic species like the Madeiran firecrest are now endangered due to habitat loss.
Mountain Birds
Madeira’s central mountains rising over 6,000 feet provide habitat for high elevation bird species. Birds that populate the mountain slopes and peaks include:
- Rock sparrow
- Red-billed chough
- Eurasian kestrel
- Peregrine falcon
- Grey wagtail
- Rock pigeon
The impressive ridges and cliffs of Madeira’s mountains are ideal nesting sites for raptors like kestrels and peregrine falcons. Grey wagtails forage for invertebrates in the mountain streams.
Migratory Birds
Every year, migratory birds travel through Madeira or spend the winter on the islands before returning north or east to breeding grounds. Madeira is an important stopover point for birds moving along the East Atlantic Flyway between Europe and Africa.
Some migratory species seen in Madeira include:
- Barn swallow
- Common swift
- Eurasian wryneck
- Common cuckoo
- European pied flycatcher
- Common quail
- Common snipe
- Whinchat
- Northern wheatear
- Willow warbler
The mild climate of Madeira makes it a favorable wintering site for insects and fruit that sustain migratory species. Birds like swallows and swifts pass through in huge numbers during spring and fall migration on their way to summer breeding grounds.
Wintering Waterfowl
Madeira’s coastal lagoons and wetlands provide overwintering habitat for ducks, geese, swans, and other waterbirds. Large flocks arrive between October and April, escaping colder northern winters. Some of the key species include:
- Northern shoveler
- Eurasian wigeon
- Gadwall
- Common teal
- Mallard
- Pintail
- Common pochard
The most abundant wintering ducks are northern shovelers, Eurasian wigeons, and common teals. The sheltered bays and food-rich shorelines offer an excellent place for these birds to feed and rest during winter.
Rare Vagrants
Due to its remote location in the Atlantic, Madeira also attracts some rare and accidental bird species. These vagrants are birds well outside their normal range. Some vagrant birds recorded include:
- Cattle egret
- Glossy ibis
- Eurasian spoonbill
- American golden plover
- Pectoral sandpiper
- Franklin’s gull
- Brown booby
The island’s geographic position makes it a potential rest stop for vagrant birds blown off course during migration between continents. Birders enjoy the chance to spot these unusual visitors.
Endangered Birds
Several Madeiran bird species are endangered and at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other threats. These include:
- Zino’s petrel – Critically endangered; only breeds on Madeira
- Madeiran storm petrel – Endangered endemic breeder
- Madeiran firecrest – Endangered laurel forest songbird
- Madeiran chaffinch – Vulnerable forest finch
Conservation programs aim to protect and recover these endangered endemics. Projects include establishing protected reserves, controlling invasive plants, and boosting breeding success.
Zino’s Petrel
Zino’s petrel is perhaps Madeira’s most endangered bird. This gadfly petrel is a seabird that only breeds in Madeira’s central highlands. Forest loss and nest site competition from other birds reduced its population to just 70 breeding pairs in the 1990s.
Intensive conservation efforts since then have increased its population to over 300 pairs. Continued habitat protection and public education seek to bring this unique bird back from the brink of extinction.
Best Birding Sites
Madeira offers excellent birding opportunities. Here are some top sites to observe birds on the islands:
Cabo Girão
The sea cliffs of Cabo Girão provide spectacular views of seabirds. Watch for Cory’s shearwaters, little shearwaters, and yellow-legged gulls soaring beside the nearly 2000-foot cliffs. Peregrine falcons may be seen hunting smaller birds.
Ponta de São Lourenço
This scenic peninsula on Madeira’s eastern tip hosts shorebirds and seabirds. Scan mudflats for wading birds like whimbrels, turnstones, and little stints. Offshore waters have terns, shearwaters, and petrels.
Laurissilva Forest
Hike through this ancient laurel forest to spot Madeiran endemics like the Madeiran firecrest and chaffinch. Listen for the firecrest’s warbling trill. Other forest birds occur here too like woodpeckers and tits.
Fajã dos Padres
This farming coastal plain features shorebird habitat around its shrimp farms. Look for wintering waders like snipes, stilts, and sandpipers along marshy edges and ponds. Eurasian spoonbills frequently feed here.
Ribeira da Janela
Madeira’s north coast offers a rugged landscape good for cliff-nesting seabirds. Watch for Cory’s shearwaters launching from seaside precipices. Northern gannets, shags, and petrels may be spotted offshore.
Birding Events
To connect with other birders and experts, consider attending one of Madeira’s bird festivals and counts:
- Madeira Birdwatching Fair – Held each October with guided birding tours, presentations, and workshops.
- Madeira Birds and Wildlife Festival – Another birding festival each September/October.
- Madeira Island Illegal Bird Killing Monitoring Scheme – Yearly survey of migratory birds shot on the island.
- Madeira Christmas Bird Count – Citizen science count of birds in December.
Birding Resources
Use these resources to further explore Madeira’s birds:
- Madeira Birds – Website by ecologist Dr. Frank Zino with photos, checklists, and articles.
- Birding Madeira – Ecotours and bird surveys by local naturalist guide Vitor Cunha.
- Madeira Wind Birds – Conservation project and podcast focused on seabirds.
- MadeiraNatureTours – Guided birdwatching and wildlife tours across the island.
Conclusion
Madeira provides outstanding birding opportunities, from seabirds along its cliffs to songbirds in mountain forests. Over 170 species occur, including several rare endemic birds found nowhere else. While habitat loss has caused some birds to decline, active conservation programs seek to protect Madeira’s unique avian biodiversity. Visiting birders can contribute by respecting protected areas and supporting eco-tourism and research projects focused on these special birds.
