Thanks to Madeira’s natural characteristics and geographical location, the island is considered by specialists to be of particular interest to ornithologists, as proven by the existence of large colonies of sea and land bird species and subspecies which are to be found nowhere else in the world.
An extract from the writings of the Madeiran biologist Paulo Oliveira (of the Madeira Natural Park) refers to this very subject:

“The Madeira archipelago is blessed with an extremely interesting array of bird life. The larger groups or species of note are the sea birds, particularly Zino’s Petrel of Madeira and Bugio and the Long-toed Pigeon, then a range of Passeriforms such as the Madeira Chaffinch, the Madeira Firecrest and the Madeira Rock Sparrow. According to a publication issued in 1999 by the PNM (Madeira Nature Park), and in line with the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) criteria, the archipelago has one highly endangered species, one endangered species, and 8 which are vulnerable and under management. In terms of legal protection, 19 of Madeira’s species are listed in the Birds Directive while 8 have been included in the annexes to the Berne Convention. With regard to habitat protection, we have 5 species which are found only in ZPEs (Special Protection Zones), 5 which mainly occur in ZPEs, while 29 are strongly represented in ZPEs.
The archipelago has 4 ZPEs, the Laurissilva Flora area, the Desertas islands, the Selvagens islands and the eastern Maciço Montanhoso, or Mountain Massif. All are complete or partial reserves under the jurisdiction of the PNM, the Madeira Nature Park, and are the target of management measures implemented by this body. The following are particularly important: habitat quality inventory, the monitoring of various species, the acquisition of a number of different flora areas, programmes aimed at the eradication of various introduced species of flora and fauna and predator control programmes, among others.
We are now in a position to confirm that we are coming out on top as regards the major challenges, and that the Madeira Nature Park, enjoying some tranquillity thanks to the good work which has been done, is now in a position where programmes are being organised and structured in such a way as to ensure that the efforts required for a Regional Nature Conservation Strategy have been maximised”.

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