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Birds of Portugal

Latin English Notes
Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe Resident throughout the year on the lake in front of the Quinta, but more visible during the winter. During other periods of the year one is more likely to find them on the Sado, the Plains or the Rio Formosa, where they are abundant.
Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe Resident throughout the year on the lake in front of the Quinta, but more visible during the winter. During other periods of the year one is more likely to find them on the Sado, the Plains or the Rio Formosa, where they are abundant.
Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe A good spot, but regularly seen on the Sado or the Rio Formosa, especially during the winter and early spring.
Morus bassanus Gannet Seen on migration off the west coast.
Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant A relatively common species, sometimes seen on the lake in front of the Quinta.
Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag Rio Formosa, Sado and sometimes even on the Plains.
Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern Relatively common species, (on the Rio Formosa especially),  between March and September
Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron A difficult species to spot, but breeds and over-winters on the Paul de Boquilobo, north of Lisbon.
Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron A nice species to spot, and sometimes surprisingly easy in the Algarve. Present March to September.
Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret Abundant throughout the year, but best viewed in breeding plumage during April.
Egretta garzetta Little Egret Abundant throughout the year.
Egretta alba Great White Egret A rare species in Portugal, but records exist of a few every year on the Sado and the Plains of the Alentejo.
Ardea cinerea Grey Heron Resident throughout the year and breeds on the lake in front of the Quinta.
Ardea purpurea Purple Heron A beautiful species, rare but regularly seen on the Rio Formosa and the Sado between March and October.
Ciconia nigra Black Stork Rare but sometimes seen on the Plains.
Ciconia ciconia White Stork Abundant throughout the year, and a pair is nesting in Santa Clara across the lake from the Quinta.
Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis Rare, but sometimes seen in the Rio Formosa.
Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill Regularly seen in small parties on the Rio Formosa, the Sado, the Plains and the Tagus.
Phoenicopterus ruber Greater Flamingo Increasingly common throughout southern Portugal.
Anas penelope Wigeon Over-winters on the Rio Formosa where the male's melodious whistling is the sound of the time of year!
Anas strepera Gadwall Common throughout the year.
Anas acuta Pintail Commonly over-winters in the Algarve, on the Sado and the Tagus.
Anas crecca Teal Common during the winter throughout southern Portugal.
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Common throughout southern Portugal throughout the year.
Anas clypeata Shoveler Relatively common throughout the year.
Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard A relatively common species in the Algarve and on the Plains if you know where to look.
Aythya ferina Pochard A common bird throughout the year in the Algarve.
Aythea fuligula Tufted Duck A rareish species confined to the winter.
Aythea nyroca Ferruginous Duck Rare but occasionally seen in the Algarve and on the Sado.
Oxyura leucocophala White-headed Duck Extremely rare, but has been seen on the Sado.
Melanita negra Common Scoter Over-winters between September to May off the west and south coasts.
Mergus serrator Red-breasted Merganser Over-winters in Portugal. A nice species to see, but difficult.
Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard A difficult species to find, but has been seen in the Algarve as well as further north.
Elanus caeruleus Black-winged Kite A surprisingly common species for us, with 18 different individuals in one day as the highest record to date.
Milvus migrans Black Kite Regularly seen on the Plains from March through to September.
Milvus milvus Red Kite Often seen on the Plains and in recent years also further south.
Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture A rare species though sometimes seen on the Plains.
Aegypius monachus Black Vulture A rare species though sometimes seen on the Plains.
Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture Another rare species, though more regularly seen than either of the other two vultures.
Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle Regularly seen near the Quinta as well as elsewhere.
Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier Regularly seen throughout southern Portugal.
Circus cyaneus Hen Harrier Over-winters on the Plains.
Circus pygargus Montagu's Harrier A common sight on the Plains from early April through to October.
Accipiter gentilis Goshawk An uncommon though regularly seen species near the Quinta.
Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk A relatively common species often seen in the garden at the Quinta.
Buteo buteo Buzzard Common, with a pair regularly nesting within a mile of the Quinta.
Aquila adalberti Imperial Eagle Extremely rare, though occasionally encountered on the Plains. 
Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle A not uncommon species on the Plains.
Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle Regularly seen on migration during late September as well as near the Quinta.
Hieraaetus fasciatus Bonelli's Eagle A rare but regularly seen species both near the Quinta and on the Plains.
Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel A rare species, (though expanding in recent years due to indefatigable work by the LPN), we see this most times we visit the Plains.
Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Common throughout Southern Portugal.
Pandion haliaetus Osprey Often seen in the winter on the lake in front of the Quinta.
Falco eleonorae Eleonora's Falcon A rare visitor to the Quinta and the West coast, usually in the summer.
Falco columbarius Merlin Nowhere common, this species is sometimes seen during the winter.
Falco subbuteo Hobby Seen not infrequently at the Sado.
Falco peregrinus Peregrine Regularly seen near the Quinta where it helps to keep our Tumbling pigeon population within bounds.
Alectoris rufa Red-legged Partridge Regularly seen throughout southern Portugal.
Coturnix coturnix Quail More often heard than seen, though during April it seems to lose any fear of Man.
Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake Rarely seen, though can be found with difficulty near the coast.
Porzana parva Little Crake A very difficult species to see, but more common on the Tagus and the Sado than the Algarve.
Porzana porzana Spotted Crake Easier to find than the other Porzanas, though this is not saying much!
Rallus aquaticus Water Rail Seldom seen but often heard, both near the coast and on the Plains of the Alentejo.
Gallinula chloropus Moorhen Common throughout southern Portugal.
Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Gallinule Becoming more and more common on the Algarve, where more are lost to golf balls than predators.
Fulica atra Coot Common throughout southern Portugal.
Grus grus Common Crane Small groups are not hard to find during the winter.
Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard Relatively easy to find during the Spring, this is a difficult species during the rest of the year due to it gathering at those times into larger flocks. It displays late April.
Otis tarda Great Bustard One of southern Portugal's flagship species, the best time to view is during the last week in March and the first two of April when its display is stunning. At this time of year over 100 birds during a morning is not uncommon.
Haematopus ostralegus Oystercatcher Over-winters along the coast, leaving our shores by early April.
Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt A common species throughout the year, both inland and on the coast.
Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet A relatively common species in any of the salt pans.
Burhinus oedicnemus Stone Curlew By no means uncommon on the Plains.
Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole A stunning bird, both in flight and stationary, they are not as uncommon as most people think, as long as one knows where to look. We usually find ours on the Plains.
Charadrius dubius Little-ringed Plover Breeding on the shoreline of the lake in front of the Quinta, this is a relatively easy bird to see during a stay at the Quinta anytime from April to October.
Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover Leaving our shores during April, it is a common bird during the winter on any of our coasts.
Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover Common throughout the year, especially in the Algarve.
Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover Gathers in flocks with the Lapwings on the Plains during the winter.
Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover A regularly seen species during the winter in the Algarve, they leave us during April.
Vanellus vanellus Lapwing Dense flocks gather on the Plains throughout the winter.
Calidris alba Sanderling A common sight throughout the winter on any shore on the west coast, they are not infrequently seen singly in salt pans too.
Calidris canutus Knot An infrequently seen winter visitor.
Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper Sometimes seen during migration in April.
Calidris minuta Little Stint An infrequently seen winter visitor.
Calidris alpina Dunlin Seen throughout the winter, a flock in various stages of plumage change during April can be instructive.
Philomachus pugnax Ruff A few over-winter, but mostly seen on migration, usually on the Sado and in the Algarve.
Gallinago gallinago Snipe A not uncommon winter species on the coast.
Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit Often seen in the Algarve and also the Sado and Tagus estuaries.
Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit Often seen in the Algarve and also the Sado and Tagus estuaries.
Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel Often seen on migration both on the coast and further inland.
Numenius arquata Curlew An over-wintering species, mostly on the coast.
Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank A striking species when in summer plumage on migration, though they also over-winter on the coast.
Tringa totanus Redshank Commonly seen during the winter.
Tringa nebularia Greenshank Commonly seen during the winter.
Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper Often seen on the Plains.
Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Very common near the Quinta where it breeds on the shore of the lake.
Arenaria interpres Turnstone Regularly seen during the winter.
Larus fuscus Lesser Blackback Regularly seen.
Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull Regularly seen.
Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern Often seen on the lake in front of the Quinta as well as on the Plains.
Sterna caspia Caspian Tern Often seen on migration in the Algarve during April
Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern Regularly seen on any coastal watch.
Sterna dougallii Roseate Tern An uncommon species though regular visitor during the winter.
Sterna hirundo Common Tern Regularly seen, usually during the winter.
Sterna albifrons Little Tern A common species on any estuary trip.
Chlidonias niger Black Tern Seen most years during migration in April, both on the lake in front of the Quinta and on the Plains.
Pterocles orientalis Black-bellied Sandgrouse A rare species, though regularly seen on the Plains if one starts early enough.
Columba livia Rock Dove A difficult species due to the abundance of feral pigeons, but one that is regularly seen.
Columba palumbus Woodpigeon A marked increase during recent years.
Streptopelia decaocto Collared Dove A rapidly increasing species both in the countryside and also urban environments.
Streptopelia turtur Turtle Dove A species that is under increasing pressure unfortunately, though good views are still enjoyed around the Quinta.
Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo An early arrival and a species that seems to be increasing in numbers and range over recent years. Regularly seen on the Plains and also near the Quinta.
Cuculus canorus Cuckoo Arriving in mid March, this species can be easily seen during the Spring near the Quinta.
Tyto alba Barn Owl Relatively scarce though not rare species throughout southern Portugal.
Otus scops Scops Owl A pair has nested and raised young in the Quinta's garden over the last four years, and their call is one of our dinner highlights during the Spring.
Bubo bubo Eagle Owl Rarely seen though sometimes heard, this species is easiest to find in river valleys on the Plains.
Athene noctua Little Owl A common species throughout southern Portugal, especially on the Plains, where they average 7 pairs per sq. km.
Strix aluco Tawny Owl A scarcely seen but regularly heard species around the Quinta.
Caprimulgus europaeus Nightjar This species arrives back with the start of the really warm weather in May, breeds near the Quinta and can often be seen and heard on the track nearby.
Caprimulgus ruficollis Red-necked Nightjar This species arrives back with the start of the really warm weather in May, breeds near the Quinta and can often be seen and heard on the track nearby.
Apus apus Swift Often seen near the Quinta from the end of March onwards.
Apus pallidus Pallid Swift Often seen near the Quinta from the end of March onwards.
Apus melba Alpine Swift Often seen near the Quinta from mid April onwards and sometimes in groups as high as 100+.
Alcedo atthis Kingfisher Regularly seen most mornings fishing from the pontoon in front of the Quinta.
Merops apiaster Bee-eater Probably the most accurate of any migrating species, it usually arrives within a day or two of the 1st April and leaves at the end of August. Approx 50 roost every evening in the eucalyptus tree in the garden.
Coracias garrulus Roller Arriving during the second half of April, these are a regular species seen on the Plains.
Upupa epops Hoopoe Regularly seen throughout southern Portugal and throughout the year, they are a delight to watch when catching Mole Crickets.
Picus viridis Green Woodpecker Nesting within a km of the Quinta this is a species that is seen and heard most days throughout the year in the Quinta's garden.
Dendrocopos major Great Spotted Woodpecker Nesting within a km of the Quinta this is a species that is seen and heard most days throughout the year in the Quinta's garden.
Dendrocopos minor Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Seen in the Quinta's garden this is a species that is often overlooked due to its size and quieter presence.
Melanocorypha calandra Callandra Lark The Plains are the place to see this large lark, where in Winter they gather in to quite sizeable flocks while during the Spring and Summer they seem to be everywhere.
Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed Lark Common on the Plains.
Calandrella rufescens Lesser Short-toed lark A difficult species to see, but sometimes spotted in the Algarve near the coast.
Galerida cristata Crested lark Probably our most abundant lark and seen every day near the Quinta.
Galerida teklae Thekla Lark Often seen on the Plains as well as near the Quinta.
Lullula arborea Wood lark A common species near the Quinta where their song in the early morning sometimes even drowns out the Nightingale's.
Alauda arvensis Skylark Regularly seen within a few miles of the Quinta.
Riparia riparia Sand Martin A not uncommon species throughout southern Portugal.
Ptyonoprogne rupestris Crag Martin Regularly seen throughout the year in the hills to the south of the Quinta as well as on the Plains.
Hirundo rustica Swallow Sometimes it seems as if they never leave us, with the last departures sometimes as late as December and the first arrivals in mid January. About 10 pairs nest at the Quinta.
Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow An expanding species, and beautiful to watch. Our first pair nested at the Quinta during 2002.
Delichon urbica House Martin An urban species, with over 70 pairs nesting in Santa Clara, our nearest village.
Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit Regularly seen on the Plains.
Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit Regularly seen on the Plains and also near the Quinta.
Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit A winter visitor, this species is common throughout southern Portugal during this period.
Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail Regularly seen throughout southern Portugal
Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail A pair has nested in a recess of our well for the last five years.
Motacilla alba Pied Wagtail Seen throughout the year in the Quinta's garden.
Prunella modularis Dunnock A species that is occasionally seen throughout the year at the Quinta.
Cercotrichas galactotes Rufous Bushchat A late arrival, this is a difficult species to find, but all the more exciting for the effort needed.
Erithacus rubecula Robin Extremely obvious throughout the winter in the Quinta's garden, most individuals migrate north in the early Spring leaving it a scarce bird here by the end of April.
Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale With the first arrivals usually getting to us in the third week of March, this species seems to have taken over the countryside near the Quinta within four weeks, with at least three males singing in the Quinta's garden.
Luscinia svecica Bluethroat An irregular sight in the Algarve during the winter.
Phoenicurus ochruros Black Redstart A not uncommon sight along the west coast.
Saxicola rubetra Whinchat A winter visitor, most often seen on the Plains.
Saxicola torquata Stonechat Obvious and ubiquitous throughout southern Portugal throughout the year, they breed very early with the first fledglings appearing by the beginning of March.
Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear Usually arriving during the second half of April, this species brings colour to any ploughed field on the plains for the rest of the summer.
Monticola saxatilis Rock Thrush A difficult bird to find unless one is prepared to travel, this species prefers higher ground than is usual around the Quinta.
Monticola solitarius Blue Rock Thrush A regularly seen species on the banks of the river Guadiana on the Plains.
Turdus merula Blackbird A ubiquitous species that has seen an increase in population and area during the last few years.
Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel A difficult species to find this is sometimes seen in the hills to the south of the Quinta.
Turdus pilaris Fieldfare An infrequent winter visitor
Turdus iliacus Redwing An infrequent winter visitor
Turdus philomelos Song Thrush An over-wintering species.
Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush Our most common thrush, this is seen throughout the year.
Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler Its explosive song can be heard along any riverine habitat throughout southern Portugal.
Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola (Fan-tailed Warbler) A ubiquitous species on any patch of grassland, (even in the middle of urban environments), we have many nesting within a km of the Quinta.
Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler Tied to reed beds, this species can nevertheless be seen on the Plains as well as the Sado, Tagus and Rio Formosa.
Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed Warbler Commonly found on the Plains, this species can often drown out even Coots and Moorhens.
Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler A species that is sometimes seen in the Algarve.
Hippolais polyglotta Mellodious Warbler A common species in the riverine habitat surrounding the Quinta during the Spring and Summer.
Sylvia undata Dartford Warbler A fairly common species near the Quinta, nesting within 500 mts.
Sylvia conspicillata Spectacled Warbler Sometimes seen in the Algarve.
Sylvia cantillans Subalpine Warbler A common species nesting in the Quinta's garden.
Sylvia melanocephala Sardinian Warbler A common species nesting in the Quinta's garden.
Sylvia hortensis Orphean Warbler A difficult bird to find, being extremely shy.
Sylvia communis Whitethroat An uncommon species near the Quinta.
Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap A common species nesting in the Quinta's garden.
Phylloscopus bonelli Bonelli's Warbler A rare species in southern Portugal, though not unknown amongst the oak trees near the Quinta.
Phylloscopus brehmii Iberian Chiffchaff Commonly heard and seen near the Quinta.
Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler Seen on passage, sometimes in the Quinta's garden.
Regulus ignicapillus Firecrest A fairly common species, occurring even in the middle of Lisbon.
Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher Often seen on our trips to the Algarve and also near Lisbon.
Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher Regularly seen near the Quinta when on passage during April.
Aegithalos caudatus Long-tailed Tit Common throughout southern Portugal, and nests regularly in the Quinta's garden.
Parus cristatus Crested Tit Relatively common, nesting near the Quinta.
Parus caeruleus Blue Tit Ubiquitous throughout the year.
Parus major Great Tit Ubiquitous throughout the year.
Parus ater Coal Tit Relatively common near Lisbon, though we have yet to see any near the Quinta or in the Algarve.
Sitta europaea Nuthatch Common in the oak trees near the Quinta.
Troglodytes troglodytes Wren Ubiquitous, nesting in the Quinta's garden.
Certhia brachydactyla Short-toed Treecreeper Common and seemingly oblivious to Man, this species can bring great enjoyment due to its proximity.
Lanius excubitor Southern Grey Shrike Present throughout the year, and often seen sitting on the telephone wires near any road.
Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike Common throughout southern Portugal from April through to September.
Garrulus glandarius Jay Seen regularly in the Quinta's garden, this species is the great "planter" of our cork oak forests nearby.
Cyanopica cyana Azure-winged Magpie Travelling the countryside in loose, noisy flocks, this species is common near the Quinta, apart from a couple of weeks in late April to early May when it is a secretive nester.
Corvus corone Carrion Crow Rarer than in other European countries, this is nevertheless nowhere uncommon.
Corvus corax Raven Seldom seen outside of a pair, this species is relatively common, especially on the Plains.
Oriolus oriolus Golden Oriole Returning to the Quinta around the second week of April, this is the real harbinger of Spring and its clear, fluty calls echoing up the valley nearby never cease to thrill.
Sturnus unicolor Spotless Starling Commonly seen throughout southern Portugal.
Passer domesticus House Sparrow Roosting in the Quinta's garden, this species is a real sun-downer and riser making a racket out of all proportion to the size of the bird.
Passer hispaniolensis Spanish Sparrow Regularly seen on the Plains, Spanish Sparrows have benefited greatly from the recent surge in the White Stork population, whose nests are their preferred breeding site.
Passer montanus Tree Sparrow A difficult species to find, we nevertheless see them from time to time both on the Plains and in the Algarve.
Petronia petronia Rock Sparrow An extremely difficult bird to find, though occasionally found in mixed Sparrow flocks near the Quinta.
Estrilda astrild Common Waxbill This species is becoming more and more common as it continues to expand from its original base in the Algarve, being found now throughout southern Portugal.
Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch A ubiquitous species throughout southern Portugal, preferring mixed oak forests, it breeds in the Quinta's garden.
Serinus serinus Serin Seemingly on the increase in recent years, we have at least two pairs now in the Quinta's garden.
Carduelis chloris Greenfinch A ubiquitous species throughout southern Portugal, both in the country and urban environments.
Carduelis canabina Linnet Breeding near the Quinta, and seen most days throughout the year.
Carduelis carduelis Goldfinch With at least ten pairs nesting in the Quinta's garden, one is seldom out of earshot of this species while staying here.
Emberiza cirlus Cirl Bunting A rareish species, seen more often than not on migration during April, this species can nevertheless be seen near the Quinta with a little effort.
Emberiza cia Rock Bunting Though nowhere common, this species is widespread and can often be encountered on the shore of the lake in front of the Quinta.
Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting An easy bird to see and hear, one is often tempted to think that this species is abundant, though its continued reduction in more "advanced" farming nations renders it a useful yardstick with which to measure the health of our own countryside.
Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting This is an uncommon species and regularly overlooked but occurs quite often feeding on the corn fields near the Quinta during the Autumn.