Important Bird Areas

The islands of the Madeiran archipelago are a part of the Madeira and the Canary Islands Endemic Bird Area. The characteristic vegetation of Madeira is laurel forest which supports the endemic Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz. Madeira is particularly important for breeding seabirds, including Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira and Fea's Petrel P. feae.

The following Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are significant for their populations of seabirds.

Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea borealis

Taken from a ship travelling from the Desertas Islands to Madeira

Photo: Rubén Barone Tosco, 4th September 2009

Bugio-Deserta Islands is a very important site for five breeding shearwaters and petrels. It is the only European breeding ground of Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae which nests mainly on the grassy southern plateau.

Montado de Areeiro, Montado do Sabugal, Montado da Fajã da Nogueira, Montado dos Piquetes, Montado do Cidrão supports the only known breeding population of Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira in the world.

Selvagem Grande is one of the most important shearwater and petrel colonies in the North Atlantic with Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii, Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea, Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis and Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro. Ilheu Chão and Deserta Grande has important breeding colonies of the same species.

Ilheu de Cima, Ilheu de Baixo, Ilheu de Ferro also has four species of shearwater and petrel as well as Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii, Common Tern S. hirundo and Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans. On land, Berthelot’s Pipit Anthus berthelotii madeirensis and Plain Swift Apus unicolor are of note.

Ponta da São Lourenço, Madeira

Photo: Caroline Caddick

Ponta da São Lourenço has breeding Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis. On land, Berthelot’s Pipit Anthus berthelotii is common, Island Canary Serinus canaria is abundant, and Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia are all of particular note. This is also an important stop-over site for migrating passerines.

Selvagem Pequena and Ilheu de Fora is an important site for breeding shearwaters, petrels and terns including a large population of White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina.

The following Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are significant for Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz.

Caldeirão Verde, Moquinhas, Pico Casado is probably the most important area for Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz. Madeiran Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla madeirensis, Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs maderensis and Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola also breed in the forest. The same species breed at Montado dos Pessegueiros, Cabeceira da Ribeira do Seixal and Lombo Barbinhas.

Rabaças and Folhadal and Tis amarelos holds Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz at very high density as well as breeding Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus, Berthelot’s Pipit Anthus berthelotii and Plain Swift Apus unicolor.

Further information on Madeira’s IBAs and EBAs can be found at BirdLife International - follow Portugal links.

Last page update 20th June 2010