With birdlife threatened the world over – particularly in tropical countries – this week seven species were reported at risk in Portugal.
Talking to Correio da Manhã’s Sunday magazine, Luís Costa, executive director of the bird conservation organisation SPEA, admitted that the scenario is worrying.
Species in particular danger are the Imperial Eagle (found in the Alentejo and occasionally the Algarve), the Egyptian Vulture (mostly in the Tejo/ Douro areas), the tiny Monteiro’s Storm Petrel (Azores), Zino’s Petrel (Madeira), the Great Bustard (Alentejo and some areas in the north east), the Balearic Shearwater and the Azores Bullfinch.
The most endangered, explained Costa – it is in fact the most endangered species on a global scale – is the Balearic Shearwater which nests in Spain and passes along the Portuguese coast.
Nevertheless, there is some good news. Conservation efforts have hugely improved the survival outlook for both the Azores Bullfinch and Zino’s Petrel, said Costa.
