Birdwatching

Machico is a birdwatching hotspot, possessing several distinct habitats where you can observe a wide range of endemic and migratory species. Follow our tips and discover the best bird watching spots in Machico.

Ribeira de Machico

Situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by lush vegetation, Foz da Ribeira de Machico attracts several kinds of birds. You can see some of the following species:

Common waxbill (Estrilda astrild);
Common coot (Fulica atra);
Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus);
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea ssp. schmitzi)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço, situated on the eastern tip of the Island is an excellent spot for watching birds among other species such as snails and butterflies. Apart from being part of the Natura 2000 network, it is also an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Some of the species to watch out for are:

Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii)
Plain Swift (Apus unicolor)
Atlantic Canary (Serinus canaria ssp. canaria)
Berthelot's Pipit (Anthus berthelotii ssp. maderensis)
Canary Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus ssp. canariensis)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus ssp. phaeopus)
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo ssp. harterti)
Blackbird (Turdus merula ssp. cabrerae)
Rock sparrow (Petronia petronia ssp. petronia)
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis ssp. parva)
Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Vila do Caniçal

Caniçal is a quaint fishing village with a deep connection to the sea. Thus, the seafront is an excellent place to observe birds like the Spanish Sparrow, that inhabit Caniçal exclusively.

Other observable species are: