Birds
Hide descriptionIn May 2009 UNESCO awarded Fuerteventura the status of a Biosphere Reserve. The eastern coast comprises of sand dunes and wetlands, and here many species of rare birds can be found. The inland provides habitat for a wide variety of rare birds such as the Houbara Bustard, the Egyptian Vulture, and the Fuerteventura Chat
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The Barbary falcon (Falco pelegrinoides) can be seen in Fuerteventura on cliffs and ravines both on the coast and inland. A medium sized falcon similar to the peregrine falcon, but smaller up to 39 cm length with a wingspan of up to 98 cm. They feed on other birds, mainly pigeons and doves that are plentiful in Fuerteventura.
Collared Dove
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Fuerteventura is home to a significant population of Collared Dove. These sweet little birds have short red legs, a black bill, and the eyes contain a red iris. They have a black half collar with a white edge on the nape and it is this which gives this type of bird its name. They live and breed close to the human population because it is here that food is in abundance, they are very tame and...
Common Quail
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The common quail was once abundant on Fuerteventura and other Canarian islands. Because of this hunters would hunt up to fifty or more per outing. which resulted in there decline in recent years. There diet consists of small fruits, insects and seeds. There favourite habitat are on plains with abundant Vegetation, forest clearings and scrubland. They are more likely to be heard than seen as they are a shy breed When nesting amongst vegetation they have been known to...
Egyptian Vulture
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These birds, usually seen in pairs, are threatened due to hunting, poisoning (mostly accidental), and collisions, especially with power lines. The Egyptian Vultures prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They feed on the eggs of other birds and it is within this practice that they adopt a behaviour that is rare amongst birds. They use pebbles to break open the eggs, and although birds of prey may use a stone in a hammer-like manner, the...
Eurasian Hoopoe
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The Eurasian Hoopoe is the only species to be found within the Upupidae family; all other species are extinct. These birds are medium in size and are easily identified by their feathered crowns. They have a long thin and tapered bill of which the top part is black and the base is fawn. The head and breast are a reddish brown, and the remainder of the feathers portray a pattern of black and white stripes. ...
These birds were once known as the Canary Islands Chat because they were once seen on all of the islands; they can now only be found on Fuerteventura. In Fuerteventura they are known as Calderetas, they are small black headed birds with a light orange breast. The Fuerteventura Chat is now listed as endangered because tourist related construction has impinged on their habitat, in addition feral cats prey on their eggs. However, a conservation plan has...
The greenfinch locally known as the (Verderon) Is known to breed on Fuerteventura and all the other Islands except La Palma and Lanzarote. They have been sighted on these two islands but there are no records of them breeding here. There diet is seeds and they are fond of thistle seeds. There nesting is thought to start in March up until June but there is little information about this. Nesting is usually in pine or fruit trees. They have...
Houbara Bustard
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The topsides of these birds are brown, and they are white underneath. They have a black stripe that runs down each side of an elongated neck. Unlike other species of Bustard, the Houbara rarely makes sound. These birds feed mainly from insects and seeds. On a global level the numbers of Houbara Bustard are significantly reduced. This is because they are also native to the Arabic countries of North Africa, and to Saudi Arabia and the...
Kestrel
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Kestrels are common in Fuerteventura and often can be seen hovering and swooping down on their prey, usually small mammals, lizards or large insects.
Little Egret
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The little egret (Egretta gazetta) can be seen on Fuereventura, it has a black beak, black long legs and yellow feet. This is an aquatic bird which feeds in shallow water. When nesting they make these with sticks either on a read bed, a bush or in a tree. The green eggs are incubated by both parents. At about six weeks the young fledge.
Raptors of the Canary Islands (Aves Rapaces de Canarias )is a photographic exhibition by Jesús Palmero and Nicolás Trujillo who are renowned wildlife photographers.
The exhibition of photographs of the Canarian birds of prey is on between May the 24th and June the 20th at the Centro de Arte Juan Ismael,Puerto del Rosario,Fuerteventura.
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 21:00
Free Admission
The Rock dove can be found on Fuerteventura and all other Canarian islands. There nesting habitat is found in sea cliffs and inaccessible caves while others nest in palm trees. Between spring and summer up to two white eggs are hatched. Some birds can nest all year round and several broods can be raised per season.
The Southern Grey Shrike can be seen on Fuerteventura, this medium sized bird up to 25 centimetres in length eats large insects, small birds and rodents. Shrikes are also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits, they hunt from prominent perches, and impale corpses on thorns as a "larder".
Storm Petrel
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The storm petrel locally known as the (Bailarino) can be seen on Fuereventura. This species is suspected to breed on all the Canary islands, with an estimated 1000 pairs. It is the smallest breed in European and Canarian waters. These birds travel in flocks close to the waters surface often dragging there feet. There dark underside makes them recognizable. There diet mainly consists of squid, fish and small crustaceans. When nesting this is done in either a burrow, cave...
The yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) is common on Fuerteventura, it's a large gull up to 68 cm in length with a wingspan up to 155 cm. Apart from the yellow legs other distinguishing features include black wing tips, a red spot on their yellow bill and a red ring around the eye.
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