The Birdlife of Portugal

Join Portuguese birding expert João Jara for a fascinating talk on the birdlife of Portugal.

Portugal is a country with enormous potential for birding: the mainland Portugal bird list includes more than 400 species, including Black-winged kite (right). This rich biodiversity is reflective of Portugal’s geographical position (Lisbon is about 38º N) and means that there is an abundance of species always present in each season; wintering species from the north, fascinating Mediterranean resident species and a range of passage migrants and breeding birds from sub-Saharan Africa.

Continental Portugal has a long coastline which brings a feast of seabirds and passage migrants. Despite being a relatively small country, Portugal boasts an excellent range of habitats from wetlands, estuaries and saline flats, to wooded hills, steppe-like plains and rocky outcrops; in practical terms, this means that any of these varied habitats can be reached without the need for lengthy travel.