Madeira Birdwatching Half Day Tour

Watch the endemic land birds of Madeira: Trocaz Pigeon, Madeira Firecrest, Madeira Chaffinch, Berthelot's Pipit and Atlantic Canary, in 3 different habitats framed by some spectacular scenery.

  • Madeira Island, Portugal

    A pleasant introduction to the endemic land birds of Madeira through the southeast of the island.

    • Price

      60 EUR per person

    • Target species

      Trocaz Pigeon, Madeira Firecrest, Berthelot's Pipit, Atlantic Canary & Madeira Chaffinch

    • Itinerary

      Southeast of Madeira, from sea level up to 700 meters of altitude (2300 feet), though the itinerary is dependent on weather conditions, so it may vary.

    • Schedule

      Pickups start around 9:30 and drop off is around 13:30. Check availability during your stay.

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    Highlights

    6 endemic bird species and subspecies of Madeira and Macaronesia
    Visit nice places with interesting aspects of geology and flora
    Friendly, local tour leaders with publications on Madeira ornithology

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    Inclusions

    Pick up and drop off at the same place
    Use of quality telescope & binoculars (shared by group), guide books
    English and Portuguese speaking ornithologists

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    Friendly advice

    Bring a jacket which is always useful for the altitude cold, a hat and a bottle of water

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    Group size

    Minimum people to run the trip: 2
    Maximum group size: 12

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    Meeting point

    City centers of Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico. As long as your hotel is not too difficult to access due to traffic, very narrow roads or controlled entrance, pick up is at the hotel, otherwise it will be at a meeting point close by. For other locations, please contact us.

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    Climate Positive

    All previous operated tours are Net Zero. We offset 200% of the carbon emissions (CO2) of this activity.

From near sea level up to 600 meters of altitude you have the chance to observe the endemic bird species and subspecies of Madeira and Macaronesia.

The places visited during this tour always depend on weather conditions, so sometimes we might visit different places in order to observe the aimed bird species.

We start by looking for the Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz, not far from Funchal, in an area with remnant Laurel trees and an amazing view.

At about 600 meters of altitude, we walk alongside a levada, in the forest, to observe the skittish Madeira Firecrest Regulus madeirensis and the bluish Madeira Chaffinch Fringilla madeirensis.

By the east tip of the island, in a dryer habitat, we search for Berthelot's Pipit Anthus berthelotii madeirensis, Atlantic Canary Serinus canaria, the Macaronesian subspecies of Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canariensis and for the elusive Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata. If we are lucky, the secretive Rock Sparrows Petronia petronia petronia might show up.

We have operated this Madeira birdwatching tour since 2004, when Wind Birds was established. It has been optimized regularly to what we believe is the ideal tour to introduce you to the endemic land birds of Madeira.

Upcoming Tours

Birdwatching tour pick ups available at the city centres of Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos.

Jan22

Madeira Birdwatching Half Day3 places available

Jan27

Madeira Birdwatching Half Day5 places available

Jan29

Madeira Birdwatching Half Day4 places available

Feb1

Madeira Birdwatching Half Day2 places available

  • Madeira Birdwatching Berthelot Pipit Anthus Berthelotii
  • Madeira Birdwatching Madeira Firecrest Regulus Madeirensis
  • Madeira Birdwatching Atlantic Canary Serinus Canaria
  • Madeira Birdwatching European Robin Erithacus Rubecula Rubecula
  • Madeira Birdwatching Trocaz Pigeon Columba Trocaz
  • Madeira Birdwatching Spectacled Warbler Sylvia Conspicillata Orbitalis
  • Madeira Birdwatching Canarian Kestrel Falco Tinnunculus Canariensis
  • Madeira Birdwatching Common Blackbird Turdus Merula Cabrerae
  • Madeira Birdwatching Berthelot Pipit Anthus Berthelotii
  • Madeira Birdwatching Madeira Firecrest Regulus Madeirensis
  • Madeira Birdwatching Atlantic Canary Serinus Canaria
  • Madeira Birdwatching European Robin Erithacus Rubecula Rubecula
  • Madeira Birdwatching Trocaz Pigeon Columba Trocaz
  • Madeira Birdwatching Spectacled Warbler Sylvia Conspicillata Orbitalis
  • Madeira Birdwatching Canarian Kestrel Falco Tinnunculus Canariensis
  • Madeira Birdwatching Common Blackbird Turdus Merula Cabrerae

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have other questions, please contact us.

  • What should I take?

    We recommend you bring a warm jumper, a waterproof jacket, a hat or a seamed cap, walking boots or shoes with a good grip and a bottle of water.

  • Do you have a scope?

    Yes, we have Swarovski and Leica telescopes for the group's use, and we do have two pairs of binoculars that we can lend to anyone who does not have them during the tour.

  • What type of payment do you accept?

    We accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex and cash. Google Pay and ApplePay are also accepted.

  • The weather conditions are bad. Do you still run the tour?

    If the forecasts for the day of your activity are not suitable for birdwatching or not safe to operate, we will try to postpone or cancel it (refundable).