Birds in Terceira Island

In the middle of the Atlantic, at an almost equal distance between America and Europe, this verdant island is visited by birds lost from its routes, coming from both continents. The island’s coastline and adjacent islets are important habitats for some species of seabirds among the most important in Europe, which travel to the Azores every year to nest or rest.

Birdwatching

Azorean Quail

Azorean Quail
Coturnix coturnix conturbans

Resident. This small galinácea, endemic subspecies of the Azores, is present in all the islands of the archipelago. It can be observed in the Cabo da Praia (one of the best places of the archipelago where to observe this species), Fishing port of Praia da Vitória, Lajes, Lagoa do Junco (area of surrounding grasslands), Cinco Ribeiras and Altares.

Blackbird

Blackbird
Turdus merula azorensis

Resident. Very conspicuous and one of the most known and popular species among the Azoreans. It can be observed in the surrounding pastures of Lagoa of Junco and Ginjal; Reservatório do Cabrito; Paul da Praia da Vitória, Paul do Belo Jardim, Cabo da Praia, Lagoa do Negro and Pico da Bagacina.

Azorean Woodpigeon

Azorean Woodpigeon
Columba palumbus azorica

Very plentiful. It can be stated, with propriety, that it is possible to be observed in any place of the island, however they are safe bets places like: Paul da Praia, Paul do Belo Jardim, Cabo da Praia, Lagoa do Junco, Lagoa do Ginjal, Caldeira Guilherme Moniz and Fajã da Serreta.

Azorean Warbler

Azorean Warbler
Sylvia atricapilla atlantis/gularis

Resident. Endemic subspecies of the Azores or Macaronesia, an issue that remains to be resolved. Although it is a shy species, its abundance makes it relatively easy to observe in Fajã da Serreta, Cabo da Praia, Paul do Belo Jardim, Lagoa do Negro and Ponta das Contendas.

Ferfolha

Ferfolha
Regulus regulus sanctaemariae/ azoricus/inermis

Resident. It is the smallest bird in Europe, occurring associated with patches of native vegetation. It can be observed in Fajã da Serreta; Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros; Monte Brasil.

Azorean Starling

Azorean Starling
Sturnus vulgaris granti

Resident. It seems to avoid the altitude above 600 meters of altitude. It can easily be seen in any of the places such as Paul da Praia.

Azorean Finch

Azorean Finch
Fringilla coelebs moreletti

Resident. It is probably the most abundant and widely distributed bird in the archipelago. It can be observed in Paul da Praia

Ring-necked Sandpiper

Ring-necked Sandpiper
Charadrius alexandrinus

Its nesting is only known in Terceira and Santa Maria. It can be observed in Cabo da Praia and surrounding areas; Area of the port of Praia da Vitória; Airport and Caldeira das Lajes.

Woodcock

Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola

It shows a certain preference for the forested zones at the highest altitude, having a clear preference for patches of native forest. It can be observed in the Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Alagadiços and Lagoa do Negro

Water Hen

Water Hen
Gallinula chloropus

According to some it is an Azorean subspecies (correana), being the subspecies nominal for others. Little abundant in the Azorean archipelago, only reproduces, located in some islands such as Terceira.

Common Snipe

Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago

It frequents above all areas at higher altitude, where there are natural meadows and semi-natural pastures. It can be observed in the vicinity of the Lagoa do Junco and Ginjal during the winter; Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, Alagadiços; Lagoa do Negro, Pau Velho, Escampadouro and semi-natural pasture area around Pico da Bagacina.

Rock Pigeon

Rock Pigeon
Erithacus rubecula

It occurs in all the islands in abundant form, nesting mainly in coastal cliffs and islets. It can be observed in the pastures of Cabo da Praia and Paul / Achada Valley.

Vinagreira

Vinagreira
Erithacus rubecula

It can be observed throughout the archipelago in practically all types of terrestrial habitats.

Canário-da-terra

Canário-da-terra
Serinus canaria

It is present throughout the archipelago, being the "bird" par excellence for the majority of the Azorean population. It can be observed in Paul da Praia

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellis atlantis

Resident / Wintering. Colonial species. It nests throughout the archipelago. It can be seen in Paul da Praia.

Cagarro

Cagarro
Calonectris diomedea borealis

Summer migrant. This pelagic species, which visits the Azores to reproduce itself, is present in the archipelago between March and mid-November. Places of abundance during the night are Fajã da Serreta and Monte Brasil.

Common Garter

Common Garter
Sterna hirundo

Summer migrator, present in all the islands, arrives to the Azores from the beginning of April, leaving the last individuals, after the breeding season, in November. Easily visible from land at Ponta das Contendas.

Pink hawk

Pink hawk
Sterna dougallii

Summer migrant. It is reproduced in mixed colonies with the common garajau, and although present throughout the Azorean archipelago, it is much less abundant than this. Easily visible from land at Ponta das Contendas