Birds of Fuerteventura

The African Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae) can be seen in Fuerteventura, these small, compact and colourful birds reach up to 12 centimetres in length and have intense blue on the back and crown with a yellow breast.

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.

The Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara) can be seen in Fuerteventura, these game birds in the pheasant family prefer the dry and open ground making the volcanic landscapes an ideal habitat.

The Barbary partridge feeds mainly on seeds and insects and when disturbed it prefers to run rather than fly.

Berthelot's pipits (Anthus berthelotii) are a small birds and common residents of Fuerteventura. They grow up to 14.5 centimetres in length, are mainly grey above and whitish below and they nest on the ground in open areas with their grey colour blending in with the ground.

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) also known as blackstart or black redtail can be seen on Fuerteventura. This small bird is up to 14.5 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 26 centimetres.

The adult male is mostly dark grey to black on the upperparts with a black breast and and an orange-red lower rump and tail. The female is grey to grey-brown overall except for the orange-red lower rump and tail.

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) can be seen on Fuerteventura. This long legged bird is up to 38 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 78 centimetres.

They have long reddish pink legs, a long thin black bill and are blackish above and white below and can be seen wading in shallow water.

The Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) can be seen in Fuerteventura, they look similar to pidgeons with compact stocky bodies and reach up to 39 centimetres in length with a wingspan up to 73 centimetres. In flight they can be identified by their long pointed wings and black bellies

The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) can be seen on Fuereventura. The Cattle Egret is slightly smaller than the Little Egret reaching a length of up to 56 centimetres with a wingspan of up to 96 centimetres, they are white and have yellow or greyish legs and a yellow bill compared to the black legs, yellow feet and black bill of the Little Egret.

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 will often land on a table while you are eating and will usually take food from your hand.. They will visit bird tables, and they mostly eat grain. It is for this reason that large flocks gather around farmlands that feed split grain to livestock.

The Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo insularum) is common in Fuerteventura and often can be seen gliding and soaring at a great height.

These medium-sized birds of prey reach up to 58 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 140 centimetres.

Their prey includes mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, prey size can vary from tiny beetles, caterpillars and ants to large adult grouse and rabbits greater than their own body mass.

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) also known as the Eurasian kestrel are common in Fuerteventura and often can be seen hovering and swooping down on their prey, usually small mammals, birds, lizards or large insects.

Common kestrels are quite small compared with other birds of prey and reach up to 39 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 82 centimetres.

Their plumage is mainly a light chestnut brown colour with blackish spots on the upperside and their tail has a black tip with a narrow white rim. They have a bright yellow narrow ring around the eye and their bill and feet are also bright yellow.

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 have up to twelve yellow eggs. Up to three broods are possible per season. There breeding season starts from late November up until August.

Common Raven (Corvus corax canariensis) can often be seen in Fuerteventura usually travelling in pairs. Their plumage, legs and beak are completely black and their plumage shines presenting metallic reflections of green and bluish violet colours. They can reach up to 67 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 150 centimetres.

The brains of common ravens are among the largest of any bird species, they display ability in problem-solving, as well as other cognitive processes such as imitation. Common ravens are known to steal and store shiny objects such as pebbles, pieces of metal and foil.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) can be seen in Fuerteventura often foraging in shallow water at the edge of the tide pecking and probing with their bills.

These medium-sized birds grow up to 20 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 35 centimetres. They have greyish-brown upperparts and white underparts with short dark-yellowish legs and feet, their bill has a pale base with a dark tip.

Cream Coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) can be seen in Fuerteventura. They reach up to 24 centimetres in length and have a wingspan of up to 57 centimetres and they generally feed on insects.

They have long black wings, their bills are curved downwards and their body plumage is a sandy and white colour, the crown and nape are grey and there have a distinctive black stripe from each eye to the back of their head.

Curlew, also known as the common curlew or Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) can be found around the Fuerteventura coast.
Easily recognisable by their long thin, down-curved bills and their mottled brown plumage they can often be seen searching for food with their long bills around rock pools or wading in shallow water.

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 Egyptian Vultures will drop the pebble into the egg.

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.

They sing in an oop oop oop fashion, hence its English name which scientifically is Upupa Epops. The call is sometimes confused with that of the Himalayan Cuckoo. A tip – The Eurasian Hoopoe will make three separate sounds at any one time, and the Cuckoo will make four.

Hoopoes mostly eat insects, although they do sometimes eat seeds and berries. When you take a walk out onto the arid lands of Fuerteventura you may spot a Hoopoe because they particularly enjoy sand baths.

The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) also known as the Common Spoonbill can be seen in Fuerteventura, these tall white waterbirds birds reach up to 90 centimetres in length with a wingspan of up to 135 centimetres.

They have long spatulate black bills and long black legs and fly with their legs and necks extended. In the breeding season adults have a crest and some yellow on their breast and bill tip.

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 existed since 1999. The programme, along with the high reproduction rate of these birds gives hope that we can avoid extinction.