Birds of the Azores

Due to the location of the Azores archipelago, close to 400 European and American bird species have been sighted here, including American species that cannot be seen in the European mainland and vice versa. The chance of seeing a rare species makes the Azores an exciting destination for bird watching enthusiasts. About 30 species breed on the islands of the Azores, including two species that are endemic to the Azores archipelago. One of these endemics is the Azorean bullfinch, or Priolo in Portuguese (Pyrrhula murina), which is one of the rarest birds in Europe and can only be seen in São Miguel Island, only in the Laurissilva forest at the eastern end of the island. The Monteiro's storm petrel (Oceanodrama monteiroi) is the other endemic species and is only known to nest on and around Graciosa Island in the Azores. Several endemic subspecies can also be seen in the Azores, including the Azorean buzzard (Buteo buteo rothscildi), Azores grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae) Azores woodpigeon (Columba palumbus azorica) and chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti). While you are in the Azores keep an eye out for some of these species, if you pay attention you should be able to spot a few:

Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula murina) (Endemic to São Miguel Island, Azores) (rare breeding)

Azorean buzzard (Buteo buteo rothscildi) (Azorean endemic subspecies) (common breeding)

Azorean buzzard (Buteo buteo rothscildi) in flight

Azorean chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti) (endemic subspecies) (Common breeding)

Azorean chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti) (endemic subspecies)

Azorean grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae) (endemic subspecies) (Common breeding)

Male blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis) (endemic subspecies) (Common breeding)

Female blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis) (endemic subspecies)

European robin (Erithacus rubecula) (Common breeding)

Common waxbill (Estrilda astrild) (Rare breeding)

 Male goldcrest - São Miguel endemic subspecies (Regulus regulus azoricus) (Common breeding)

Female goldcrest - São Miguel endemic subspecies (Regulus regulus azoricus) (Common breeding)

House sparrow (Passer domesticus) (Common breeding)

Azores woodpigeon (Columba palumbus azorica) (endemic subspecies) (Common breeding)

 Rock pigeons (Columbia livia atlantis) in flight (subspecies endemic to Macaronesia) (Common breeding)

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)  by the blue lake in Sete Cidades

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) by the blue lake in Sete Cidades

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) 

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) by the coastline between Ponta Delgada and São Roque

Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) (rare vagrant)

Little egret (Egretta garzeatta) (Uncommon vagrant)