Birds from Estrela Mountain

Estrela Mountain Natural Park

Located in the centre of Portugal, Estrela Mountain reaches an altitude of almost 2000 metres, making it the highest mountain in mainland Portugal. With its imposing and spectacular rocky landscape, it is deeply scarred by the glaciers of the past. It also harbours specific mountain habitats as well as countless endemic species of plants and animals, some of which do not exist anywhere else in the world.

This mountain range has important natural values. Due to its altitude, the geographical isolation has allowed certain species of animals and plants to evolve here separately from other populations, thus creating distinct species specific to this territory.

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Booted Eagle (Hieraeetus pennatus)

Honey Buzard (Pernis apivorus)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)

Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)

Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)

Common Redstart (Phoenicuros phoenicuros)

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)

Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta)

Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli)

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)

Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei)

Skylark (Alauda arvensis)

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)

Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

Northern Raven (Corvus corax)

Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor)

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)

Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)

Winter visitors include:

Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)