BIRDS
of the
Canary Islands

noting those
during Focus On Nature Tours 
with an (*)

thru 2015

during the months of June and July




A List of Birds of the Canary Islands compiled by Armas Hill.

UPPER RIGHT PHOTO: BULWER'S PETREL,
seen at sea from the ferry in the Canaries 



Spanish bird names follow English names in the first line.
Scientific names in the second line.


Codes:

Found during FONT tours on the islands of:

FV:   Fuerteventura
LG:   La Gomera 
LZ:    Lanzarote
TE:    Tenerife


(t): a globally threatened or rare species.
  (t1): critical
  (t2): endangered
  (t3): vulnerable
(nt): near-threatened species
(cd): conservation dependent species
(Ee): endangered in Europe
(Ev): vulnerable in Europe
(Er): rare in Europe
(Ed): has declined in Europe
(El): localized in Europe
All of above designations by Birdlife International.

(i): an introduced species in the Canaries

(ph):  species with a photo in the FONT website


Links:

Upcoming Birding & Nature Tours in Spain & the Canary Islands

Narrative of a Previous FONT Canary Islands Tour

A List & Photo Gallery of European Birds, in 2 parts

Birds of Spain during Previous FONT Tours

Mammals & Marine Life of the Canary Islands     Butterflies of the Canary Islands     

Amphibians & Reptiles of the Canary Islands     Interesting Plants of the Canary Islands

Directory of Photos in this Website

Bird-List:

1. Barbary Partridge  (Perdiz Moruna)  (Ee)  (*)  ______  LZ(*)
   Alectoris barbara koenigi
   
   
2. Red-legged Partridge  ______
   Alectoris rufa
   
   
3. Common Quail  ______
   Coturnix coturnix
   
   
4. White-faced Whistling Duck  (ph)  ______
   Dendrocygna viduata
   
   
5. Mute Swan  (ph)  ______
   Cygnus olor
   
   
6. Pink-footed Goose (ph)  ______
   Anser brachyrhynchus
   
   
7. Greater White-fronted Goose  ______
   Anser albifrons
   
   
8. Greylag Goose  (ph)  ______
   Anser anser
   
   
9. Barnacle Goose  (ph)  ______
   Branta leucopsis
   
   
10. Brant (or Brent Goose)  (ph)  ______
    Branta bernicla 
    
    
11. Ruddy Shelduck  (Ev)  (*)  ______  FV(*)
    Tadorna ferruginea
    
    
12. Common Shelduck  ______
    Tadorna tadorna
    
    
13. Wood Duck  (ph)  ______
    Aix sponsa
    
    
14. Eurasian Wigeon  (ph)  ______
    Anas penelope
    
    
15. American Wigeon  (ph)  ______  
    Anas americana
    
    
16. Gadwall  (ph)  ______
    Anas strepera
    
    
17. Eurasian Teal  ______
    Anas crecca
    
    
18. Green-winged Teal  (ph)  ______
    Anas carolinensis
    
    
19. Mallard  (ph)  ______
    Anas platyrhynchos
    
    
20. American Black Duck  (ph)  ______
    Anas rubripes
    
    
21. Northern Pintail  (ph)  ______
    Anas acuta
    
    
22. Garganey  ______
    Anas querquedula
    
    
23. Blue-winged Teal  (ph)  ______
    Anas discors
    
    
24. Northern Shoveler  (ph)  ______
    Anas clypeata
    
    
25. Marbled Duck  (or Marbled Teal)  ______
    Marmaronetta angustirostris
    
    
26. Common Pochard  (ph)  ______
    Aythya ferina
    
    
27. Ring-necked Duck  (ph)  ______
    Aythya collaris
    
    
28. Ferruginous Duck  ______
    Aythya nyroca
    
    
29. Tufted Duck  ______
    Aythya fuligula
    
    
30. Greater Scaup  ______
    Aythya marila
    
    
31. Lesser Scaup  (ph)  ______
    Aythya affinis
    
    
32. Long-tailed Duck  (ph)  ______
    Clangula hyemalis
    
    
33. Common Scoter  ______
    Melanitta nigra
    
    
34. Bufflehead  (ph)  ______
    Bucephala albeola
    
    
35. Smew  ______
    Mergellus albellus
    
    
36. Hooded Merganser  (ph)  ______
    Mergus cucullatus
    
    
37. Red-breasted Merganser  (ph)  ______  
    Mergus serrator
    
    
38. Red-throated Diver (or Loon)  (ph)  ______  FV  TE
    Gavia stellata 
    
    
39. Black-throated Diver (or Arctic Loon)  ______  TE
    Gavia arctica
    
    
40. Great Northern Diver (or Common Loon)  ______  TE
    Gavia immer  
    
    
41. Northern Fulmar  (ph)  ______  TE
    Fulmarus glacialis 
    
    
42. Fea's Petrel  (ph)  ______  LG   LP  TE
    Pterodroma feae   
    
    
43. Cory's Shearwater  (Pardela Cenicienta)  (Ev)  (*) ______ ferry FV-LZ(*), TE(*), ferry TE-LG(*)
    Calonectris diomedea borealis  
    
    The Cory's Shearwater is the most abundant shearwater of the Canary Islands. It is migratory, arriving in February, and leaving October/November. Seen at sea or from coasts.  
    
    
44. Cape Verde Shearwater  ______
    Calonectris edwardsii
    
    
45. Macaronesian Shearwater  (Pardela Chica)  (Ev)  (*)  ______  TE(*), ferry TE-LG(*)   (was included in the former, more wide-ranging Little Shearwater; now said to be more closely related to the Audubon's Shearwater. There is a race of the Audubon's Shearwater in the eastern Atlantic, breeding on Cape Verde Island. With new taxonomy, the Little Shearwater now has a range restricted to the Indian and southwestern Pacific Oceans, near Australia & New Zealand.) 
    Puffinus baroli  (monotypic)
    
    The population of the Macaronesian Shearwater in the Canaries probably does not exceed 400 pairs. It nests in isolated caves and crevices of coastal cliffs on Tenerife.
    Nesting, throughout the Canaries, is in small, loose colonies. The breeding season, throughout the islands, seems to vary: from February to late May on Tenerife and Graciosa; from March/April thru June on Montana Clara.
    The species is not commonly observedc at sea, but there have been reports of "many" off Garachico in May, and off the east coast of La Gomera in June.  
    
    
46. Great Shearwater  (ph)  ______
    Puffinus gravis
    
    
47. Sooty Shearwater  (ph)  ______
    Puffinus griseus
    
    
48. Balearic Shearwater  ______
    Puffinus mauretanicus
    
    
49. Manx Shearwater  ______
    Puffinus puffinus
    
    
50. Bulwer's Petrel  (Petrel de Bulwer)  (Ev) (ph) (*) ______ LZ(*), ferry TE-LG(*)
    Bulweria b. bulwerii
    
    The most significant colony of the Bulwer's Petrel in the Canaries, containing about 300 pairs, is on Roques de Anaga, off Tenerife. The species also breeds on the islands of La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, and on islets by northern Lanzarote. The breeding season is from May thru August/September. Birds by the colonies can be difficult to detect as they generally do not concentrate there before darkness. 
    
    
51. Wilson's Storm Petrel  (ph)  ______
    Oceanites oceanicus
    
    
52. White-faced Storm Petrel  (ph)  ______
    Pelagodroma marina
    
    
53. European Storm Petrel  ______
    Hydrobates pelagicus
    
    
54. Leach's Storm Petrel  ______
    Oceanodroma leucorhoa
    
    
55. Band-rumped (or Madeiran) Storm Petrel  ______
    Oceanodroma castro  
    
    
56. Pied-billed Grebe  (ph)  ______  TE
    Podilymbus podiceps
    
    
57. Little Grebe  (ph)  ______  TE
    Tachybaptus ruficollis
    
    
58. Great Crested Grebe  ______  GC
    Podiceps cristatus
    
    
59. Black-necked (or Eared) Grebe  (ph)  ______  
    Podiceps nigricollis
    
    
60. Grey Heron  (Garza Real)  (*)  ______  TE(*)
    Ardea c. cinerea
    
    Apparently non-breeding Grey Herons occur in the Canaries throughout the year. 
    
    
61. Western Cattle Egret  (Garcilla Bueyera)  (ph) (*) ______ LZ(*)
    Bubulcus ibis
    
    
62. Great Bittern  ______  FV  GC  LP  LZ  TE  
    Botaurus stellaris
    
    
63. American Bittern  (ph)  ______  TE
    Botaurus lentiginosus
    
    
64. Little Bittern  ______  
    Ixobrychus minutus
    
    
65. Dwarf Bittern  ______
    Ardeirallus sturmii
    
    
66. Black-crowned Night Heron  ______
    Nycticorax nycticorax  
    
    
67. Squacco Heron  ______
    Ardeola ralloides
    
    
68. Western Reef Heron  ______
    Egretta gularis
    
    
69. Little Egret  (ph)  ______
    Egretta garzetta
    
    
70. Great Egret (or Great White Heron) (ph)  ______ 
    Ardea alba
    
    
71. Great Blue Heron  ______
    Ardea herodius
    
    
72. Purple Heron  ______
    Ardea purpurea  
    
    
73. Glossy Ibis  (ph)  ______    
    Plegadis falcinellus
    
    
74. Sacred Ibis  ______
    Threskiornis acthiopicus
    
    
75. Eurasian Spoonbill  (Espatula)  (Ee) (ph) (*) ______  TE(*)
    Platalea l. leucorodia
    
    The Eurasian Spoonbill is an infrequent visitor to the Canaries. We've seen it, during FONT tours, at a small body of water in southern Tenerife.  
    
    
76. Black Stork  (ph)  ______
    Ciconia nigra
    
    
77. White Stork  (ph)  ______
    Ciconia ciconia
    
    
78. Greater Flamingo  (ph)  ______
    Phoenicopterus minor
    
    
79. Lesser Flamingo  ______
    Phoenicopterus minor
    
    
80. Red-billed Tropicbird  (ph)  ______  FV  LG
    Phaethon aethereus
    
    
81. "Frigatebird" species  ______  TE
    Fregata sp.
    
    
82. Pink-backed Pelican  ______  TE
    Pelecanus rufescens
    
    
83. Northern Gannet  (Alcatraz Comun)  (ph) (*)  ______  TE(*)
    Morus (formerly Sula) bassena
    
    
84. Brown Booby  (ph)  ______  TE
    Sula leucogaster
    
    
85. Great Cormorant  ______  EH  FV  GC  LZ  TE
    Phalacrocorax carbo
    
    
86. European Shag  (ph)  ______  GC
    Leucocarbo aristotelis  
    
    
87. Honey Buzzard  ______
    Pernis apivorus
    
    
88. Swallow-tailed Kite  (ph)  ______
    Elanoides forficatus
    
    
89. Black-shouldered Kite  ______
    Elanus caeruleus
    
    
90. Black Kite  ______
    Milvus migrans
    
    
91. Red Kite  (ph)  ______
    Milvus milvus
    
    
92. White-tailed Eagle  (ph)  ______
    Haliaeetus albicilla    
    
    
93. Osprey  (Aguila Pescadora)  (ph) (*)  ______  LZ(*)
    Pandion h. haliaetus
    
    
94. Egyptian Vulture  (Alimoche)  (Ee)  (*)  ______ FV(*)
    Neophron p. percnopterus
    
    The Egyptian Vulture, or "Alimoche" has declined considerably in the Canaries in recent years, during which time it has disappeared from La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The decrease of the population may be attributed to the general reduction of livestock (and therefore dead livestock), and an increased use of pesticides. the species can be found on Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and the islwts of Alegranza and Montana Clara. Outside the breeding season, the birds leave the Canaries for Africa.   
    
    
95. Short-toed (Snake) Eagle  ______
    Ciraetus gallicus
    
    
96. Western Marsh Harrier  ______
    Circus aeruginosus
    
    
97. Hen Harrier  ______
    Circus cyaneus
    
    
98. Pallid Harrier  ______
    Circus macrourus
    
    
99. Montagu's Harrier  ______
    Circus pygargus 
    
    
100. Eurasian Sparrowhawk  (Gavilan) (*)  ______ TE(*)
     Accipiter nisus granti  (in Canary Islands, an endemic subspecies) 
     
     The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a scarce inhabitant of the Canaries, in laurel forests and pine woods of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
     
     
101. Northern Goshawk  ______
     Accipiter gentilis
     
     
102. Common Buzzard  (Ratonero Comun)  (ph) (*)  ______  FV(*)  TE(*)
     Buteo buteo insularum  (in Canary Islands, an endemic subspecies)
     
     The Common Buzzard is the second most common raptor on the Canaries (after the Kestrel). It is a year-round resident. Its population in the islands probably does not exceed 400 pairs. Found on all islands except Lanzarote. 
     
     
103. Long-legged Buzzard  ______
     Buteo rufinus
     
     
104. Golden Eagle  ______
     Aquila chrysaetos
     
     
105. Booted Eagle  ______
     Aquila pennata
     
     
106. Bonelli's Eagle  ______
     Aquila fasciata
     
     
107. Barbary Falcon  (Halcon de Berberia)  (Er)  (*) ______ TE(*)
     Falco p. pelegrinoides
     
     The Barbary Falcon is the rarest bird of prey in the Canaries, with only about a half dozen pairs. Inhabits coastal cliffs, where it feeds on Rock Doves. Occurs (or has occurred) on Tenerife, La Gomera, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and its adjacent islets. Watching these birds flying so quickly by the cliffs, above the sea, has been a thrill for us during all of our FONT tours in the Canaries!  
     
     
108. Eleonora's Falcon  (Falcon de Eleonora)  (Er) (ph) (*)  ______  LZ(*)  TE(*)
     Falco eleonorae  (monotypic)
     
     
109. Eurasian Kestrel  (Cernicalo vulgar)  (Ed)  (*)  ______  LZ(*)  TE(*)
     Falco tinnunculus canariensis  (in western Canary Is., endemic)
     Falco tinnunculus dacotiae  (in eastern Canary Is. inc. Fuerteventura, endemic)
     
     
110. Lesser Kestrel  ______
     Falco naumanni
     
     
111. Red-footed Falcon  ______
     Falco vespertinus
     
     
112. Merlin  (ph)  ______
     Falco columbarius
     
     
113. Eurasian Hobby  ______
     Falco subbuteo
     
     
114. Peregrine Falcon  (ph)  ______
     Falco peregrinus
     
     
115. Water Rail  ______
     Rallus aquaticus
     
     
116. Spotted Crake  (ph)  ______
     Porzana porzana
     
     
117. Little Crake  ______
     Porzana parva
     
     
118. Baillon's Crake  ______
     Porzana pusilla
     
     
119. African Crake  ______
     Crex egregia
     
     
120. Corn Crake  (ph)  ______
     Crex crex
     
     
121. Common Moorhen  ______
     Gallinula chloropus
     
     
122. Lesser Moorhen  ______
     Gallinula angulata
     
     
123. Allen's Gallinule  ______
     Porphyrula alleni
     
     
124. (American) Purple Gallinule  (ph)  ______
     Porphyrula martinica
     
     
125. Eurasian Coot  (Focha Comun)  (*)  ______ TE(*)
     Fulica a. atra
     
     The Eurasian Coot is more common in the Canaries in the winter, but it can be found throughout the year on ponds and artificial (even very small) bodies of water. Nesting has recently been confirmed on Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
     
     
126. Red-knobbed (or Crested) Coot  ______
     Fulica cristata
     
     
127. Common Crane  (ph)  ______
     Grus grus
     
     
128. Houbara Bustard  (Hubara)  (nt) (Ee)  (*)  ______  FV(*)  LZ(*)
     Chamydotis undulata fuertaventurae  (an endemic subspecies on a single island in the Canaries; the other subspecies in North Africa) (The MacQueen's Bustard of southern Asia was formerly considered conspecific.)
     
     An endemic, distinctive subspecies of the Houbara Bustard has been seen during our tours in the Canaries. The bird occurs on dry, eastern Canarian islands, in arid desert and stony plain habitats. Its population is estimated at 200-300 birds on Fuerteventura and 15-20 on Lanzarote. During recent years, on both islands, is numbers have declined. It was recorded, in the past, on Gran Canaria.
     
     The Houbara Bustard in the Canary Islands are slightly smaller than those of the North African race (C. u. undulata), with upperparts much darker and dark areas of the wings blacker.
     Throughout its entire range, the species has declined over the years.
     
     It was as early as 1402 that Houbara Bustards were known to be on Fuerteventura. At that time, it's said that the island was not as arid as it is today. Therefore it's possible that bustard-habitat on Fuerteventura (although limited on the island) may have increased since that time, about 600 years ago.
     
     The preferred habitats of the Houbara Bustard on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are arid gravelly plains and areas with low sand dunes where shrubby vegetation can provide cover and food.
     
     Throughout its known history on Fuerteventura, the shy Houbara Bustard has suffered under various pressures. 
     It was written in 1905 that during a single season over a hundred bustard eggs were purchased (representing at least 35 nests).
     In 1963, the most-eminent ornithologist of the Canaries, Mr. D. A. Bannerman, considered the bird to be nearly extinct on the islands.
     Recently, there have been some positive factors: the decrease in human rural population and an improved protection of both the bird and its areas of occurrence. 
     On Fuerteventura, it occurs throughout approximately 34,000 hectares in the north, and 4,500 hectares in the south (particularly in the region if the Jandia isthmus).
     
     Male Houbara Bustards defend display areas on territories usually about 500 to 1,000 meters apart. Both sexes tend to be solitary in the breeding season, meeting only to mate. In the Canaries, eggs are laid from January (rarely December) to April. The fledgling period is about 35 days. The young are said to stay with adult females until at least autumn. Males are probably polygamous, taking no part in the rearing of the young. Males, however, do have a dramatic display behavior, that's quite the sight for those lucky to observe it. 
     
129. Little Bustard  ______
     Tetrax tetrax  
     
     
130. Eurasian Oystercatcher  (Ostero)  (*)  ______  LZ(*)
     Haematopus o. ostralegus
     
     
131. Canary Islands Black Oystercatcher  ______  (extinct)
     Haematopus meadewaldoi 
     
     
132. Black-winged Stilt  (Giguenuela)  (*)  ______  FV(*)  LZ(*)
     Himantopus h. himantopus
     
     
133. Pied Avocet  ______
     Recurvirostra avosetta
     
     
134. Little Ringed Plover  (Chorlitejo Chico)  (*)  ______  TE
     Charadrius dubius curonicus
     
     A small population of the Little Ringed Plover nests in the Canaries on the islands of Fuerteventura, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria.
     
     
135. Kentish Plover  (Chorlitejo Patinegro)  (*)  ______  LZ
     Charadrius a. alexandrinus
     
     
136. Common Ringed Plover  ______
     Charadrius hiaticula
     
     
137. Killdeer  (ph)  ______
     Charadrius vociferus
     
     
138. Lesser Sand Plover  (ph)  ______  (has been called Mongolian Plover)
     Charadrius mongolus
     
     
139. Eurasian Dotterel  (ph)  ______
     Charadrius morinellus
     
     
140. American Golden Plover  (ph)  ______
     Pluvialis dominica
     
     
141. Pacific Golden Plover  ______
     Pluvialis fulva 
     
     
142. European Golden Plover  (ph)  ______
     Pluvialis apricaria
     
     
143. Grey (or Black-bellied) Plover  (ph)  ______
     Pluvialis squatarola
     
     
144. Sociable Lapwing (or Plover)  ______
     Vanellus gregarius
     
     
145. White-tailed Lapwing (or Plover)  (ph)  ______
     Vanellus leucurus
     
     
146. Northern Lapwing  (ph)  ______
     Vanellus vanellus  
     
     
147. Egyptian Plover  ______
     Pluvianus aegyptius
     
     
148. Eurasian Stone Curlew  (Alcaravan)  (Ev)  (*) ______ FV,LZ,TE
     Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus  (on the western Canaries)
     Burhinus oedicnemus insularum  (on the eastern Canaries) 
     (these 2 subspecies are endemic to the Canary Islands) 
     
     Two subspecies of the Eurasian Stone Curlew occur in the Canary Islands:
     B. o. distinctus on the western Canary Islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro (and possibly La Gomera), and B. o. insularum on the eastern Canary Islands of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and adjacent islets.
     The bird is found mainly on dry open terrain. It tends to be most active, and vocal, at dusk and after dark..    
     
     
149. Cream-colored Courser  (Corredor)  (Ev)  (*)  ______  FV
     Cursorius cursor bannermani  (this subspecies of the Canary Islands now said to be merged into the widespread Cursorius c. cursor)
     
     The Cream-colored Courser occurs mostly in Africa, but there is a population in the Canary Islands. The species occurs in dry habitats across northern Africa, from Morocco east, and beyond, further east, in Arabia and northwest India. Birds in eastern and southern Africa have been said to be this same species, but now that population is considered as another species called Burchell's Courser.
     
     In the Canaries, the Cream-colored Courser occurs on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in desert and semi-desert areas. It is relatively common only on Fuerteventura. There have been sightings, rarely, on Tenerife - on that island probably only as a migrant, or an "overshooter". Sometimes the bird does the same ("overshoots its range") into Europe.     
     
     
150. Collared Pratincole  ______
     Glareola pratincola
     
     
151. Black-tailed Godwit  ______
     Limosa limosa
     
     
152. Bar-tailed Godwit  (ph)  ______
     Limosa lapponica
     
     
153. Whimbrel  (ph)  ______
     Numenius phaeopus
     
     
154. Eurasian Curlew  ______
     Numenius arquata
     
     
155. Slender-billed Curlew  (t1)  ______
     Numenius tenuirostris
     
     
156. Upland Sandpiper  ______
     Bartramia longicauda
     
     
157. Spotted Redshank  ______
     Tringa erythropus
     
     
158. Common Redshank  (ph)  ______
     Tringa totanus
     
     
159. Marsh Sandpiper  ______
     Tringa stagnatilis
     
     
160. Common Greenshank  ______
     Tringa nebularia
     
     
161. Greater Yellowlegs  ______
     Tringa melanoleuca
     
     
162. Lesser Yellowlegs  (ph)  ______
     Tringa flavipes
     
     
163. Solitary Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Tringa solitaria
     
     
164. Green Sandpiper  ______
     Tringa ochropus
     
     
165. Wood Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Tringa glareola
     
     
166. Terek Sandpiper  ______
     Xenus cinereus
     
     
167. Common Sandpiper  ______
     Actitis hypoleucos
     
     
168. Spotted Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Actitis macularius
     
     
169. Ruddy Turnstone  (ph)  ______
     Arenaria interpres  
     
     
170. Red Knot  (ph)  ______
     Calidris canutus
     
     
171. Sanderling  (ph)   ______
     Calidris alba
     
     
172. Semipalmated Sandpiper  ______
     Calidris pusilla
     
     
173. Western Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris mauri
     
     
174. Little Stint  ______
     Calidris minuta
     
     
175. Temminck's Stint  ______
     Calidris temminckii
     
     
176. Least Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris minutilla
     
     
177. White-rumped Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris fuscicollis
     
     
178. Baird's Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris bairdii
     
     
179. Pectoral Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris melanotos
     
     
180. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris acuminata
     
     
181. Curlew Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris feruginea
     
     
182. Dunlin  (ph)  ______
     Calidris alpina
     
     
183. Purple Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Calidris himantopus
     
     
184. Buff-breasted Sandpiper  (ph)  ______
     Tryngites subrificollis
     
     
185. Ruff / Reeve  (ph)  ______
     Philomachus pugnax
     
     
186. Jack Snipe  ______
     Lymnocryptes minimus
     
     
187. Common Snipe  ______
     Gallinago gallinago
     
     
188. Wilson's Snipe  (ph)  ______
     Gallinago delicata
     
     
189. Great Snipe  ______
     Gallinago media
     
     
190. Long-billed Dowitcher  ______
     Limnodromus scolopaceus
     
     
191. Eurasian Woodcock  ______
     Scolopax rusticola   
     
     
192. Wilson's Phalarope  ______
     Phalaropus tricolor
     
     
193. Red-necked Phalarope  (ph)  ______
     Phalaropus lobatus
     
     
194. Yellow-legged Gull  (Gaviota patiamarilla)  (ph) (*)  ______  FV,LZ,TE, ferry TE-LG
     Larus michahellis atlantis  (subspecies in the Canary Islands) 
     
     The Yellow-legged Gull is a very common and obvious bird in the Canaries. As with many species of gulls, there's been a dramatic population increase in recent years. It occurs on all Canarian islands, and generally nests on coastal cliffs and islets. 
     
     
195. Pallas' Gull  ______
     Ichthyaetus (formerly Larus) ichthyatus
     
     
196. Mediterranean Gull  ______
     Chroicocephalus (formerly Larus) melanocephalus
     
     
197. Laughing Gull  (ph)  ______
     Leucophaeus (formerly Larus) atricilla
     
     
198. Franklin's Gull  (ph)  ______
     Leucophaeus (formerly Larus) pipixcan
     
     
199. Little Gull  (ph)  ______
     Hydrocoloeus (formerly Larus) minutus
     
     
200. Bonaparte's Gull  (ph)  ______
     Chroicocephalus (formerly Larus) philadelphia
     
     
201. Black-headed Gull  (ph)  ______
     Chroicocephalus (formerly Larus) ridibundus
     
     
202. Slender-billed Gull  ______
     Chroicocephalus (formerly Larus) genei
     
     
203. Audouin's Gull  ______
     Larus audouinii
     
     
204. Ring-billed Gull  ______
     Larus delawarenis
     
     
205. Common (or Mew) Gull  ______
     Larus canus
     
     
206. Lesser Black-backed Gull  (ph)  ______
     Larus fuscus
     
     
207. Herring Gull  ______
     Larus argentatus
     
     
208. Iceland Gull  (ph)  ______
     Larus glaucoides
     
     
209. Glaucous Gull  (ph)  ______
     Larus hyperboreus
     
     
210. Glaucous-winged Gull  ______
     Larus glaucescens
     
     
211. Great Black-backed Gull  (ph)  ______
     Larus marinus
     
     
212. Black-legged Kittiwake  (ph)  ______
     Rissa tridactyla
     
     
213. Gull-billed Tern  ______
     Gelochelidon nilotica
     
     
214. Caspian Tern  (ph)  ______
     Hydroprogne caspia
     
     
215. Royal Tern  (ph)  ______
     Thalasseus (formerly Sterna) maxima
     
     
216. Lesser Crested Tern  ______
     Thalasseus (formerly Sterna) bengalensis
     
     
217. Sandwich Tern  (ph)  ______ 
     Thalasseus (formerly Sterna) sandvicensis
     
     
218. Roseate Tern  (ph)  ______
     Sterna dougallii
     
     
219. Common Tern  ______
     Sterna hirundo
     
     
220. Arctic Tern  ______
     Sterna paradisaea
     
     
221. Forster's Tern  (ph)  ______
     Sterna forsteri
     
     
222. Little Tern  ______
     Sternula albifrons
     
     
223. Sooty Tern  (ph)  ______
     Onychoprion fuscata
     
     
224. Whiskered Tern  ______
     Chlidonias hybrida
     
     
225. Black Tern  (ph)  ______
     Chlidonias niger
     
     
226. White-winged Tern  (ph)  ______
     Chlidonias leucopterus
     
     
227. South Polar Skua  (Pagalo Grande)  (ph) (*)  ______  ferry  TE-LG
     Stercorarius (formerly Catharacta) maccormicki  (monotypic)
     
     We've seen the South Polar Skua (one bird) from the ferry off the south coast of Tenerife, during a FONT tour in the month of July. The Great Skua occurs in Canarian waters during the winter months.  
     
     
228. Great Skua  (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius (formerly Catharacta) skua
     
     
229. Pomarine Skua (or Jaeger)  (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius pomarinus
     
     
230. Arctic Skua  (or Parasitic Jaeger) (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius parasiticus
     
     
231. Long-tailed Skua (or Jaeger) (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius longicaudus
     
     
232. Common Murre  (ph)  ______  (in Europe called Common Guillemot)
     Uria aalge
     
     
233. Razorbill  (ph)  ______
     Alca torda
     
     
234. Dovekie  ______  (in Europe called Little Auk)
     Alle alle
     
     
235. Atlantic Puffin  (ph)  ______
     Fratercula arctica 
     
     
236. Black-bellied Sandgrouse  (Ortega)  (Ev)  (*)  ______ 
     Pterocles orientalis aragonica
     
     In the Canaries, the Black-bellied Sandgrouse is only on the desert plains of Fuerteventura.
     
     
237. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse  ______
     Pterocles alchata
     
     
238. Rock Pigeon  (Paloma Livia)  (*)  ______ FV,LZ,TE
     Columba l. canariensis   (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     Not all the Rock Pigeons in the Canaries are feral pigeons. A number of them are "wild" birds, an endemic subspecies. In total, there are 14 subspecies throughout the bird's wild range, in western Europe, the Macaronesian islands of the Atlantic, parts of Africa, and parts of Asia.
     In the Canaries, native Rock Doves breed on coastal cliffs and the walls of gorges. 
     
     
239. Feral Pigeon  (Paloma Livia)  (*)  ______  FV,LZ,TE
     Columba livia 
     
     
240. Eurasian Collared Dove  (Tortola Turca)  (*)  ______  FV,LZ,TE
     Streptopelia d. decaocto
     
     The Eurasian Collared Dove is a recent arrival (apparently on its own) in the Canaries. The bird has, during recent decades, made a westward spread across Europe from the east. 
     
     
241. African Collared Dove  (Tortola de Cabeza Rosa)  (*)  ______  FV,LZ
     Streptopelia roseogrosea   
     
     
242. European Turtle Dove  (Tortola Comun)  (Ed) (*)  ______  FV,LZ,TE
     Streptopelia t. turtur
     
     European Turtle Doves in the Canaries are breeders, present only in the summer. They spend the winter in Africa, after departing the Canaries during October and November. When present, the species occurs throughout the Canarian archipelago.     
     
     
243. Laughing Dove  ______  (also called Palm Dove)
     Streptopelia senegalensis 
     
     
244. Bolle's Pigeon  (Paloma Turque)  (nt) (Ev)  (*)  ______  TE  (has also been called Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon) (endemic to the western Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gomera, & La Palma)
     Columba bolli  (monotypic)
     
     The Bolle's Pigeon, like the Laurel Pigeon also in the Canaries (and the Long-toed Pigeon of the Madeira Islands), is an interesting endemism. 
     This pigeon, and the other two, are restricted to laurel forests, and considered relics of the Tertiary Period (that is the beginning of the Cenozoic Era, which is the beginning of the Age of Mammals, following the Mesozoic Era, the Age of Reptiles). 
     
     The Bolle's Pigeon is in the laurel forests of Tenerife, La Gomera, and La Palma. There is also a small population on El Hierro, but nesting has not yet been confirmed there. Formerly, the bird was on Gran Canaria, but it disappeared on that island as the laurel forest did.
     
     The population of the Bolle's Pigeon has recently been estimated as approximately 1,700 individuals. However, in actuality, the true population size is not really well known. There was a study of the numbers in the early 1980s, when it was thought that 350 to 400 birds existed on Tenerife (mostly in the Anaga Mountains), and that 550 to 600 birds were on La Gomera, and 250 to 300 on La Palma. The sum of those estimates, by island, is somewhat less than the supposed 1,700. That figure came about, at least partly, from a recent survey determining that 1,000 individuals are in the Garrajonay National Park on La Gomera.
     The range on the islands, and the population, have been reduced substantially since the 19th Century - for example, on Tenerife, to about 35 to 40 per cent of the original range. The species is now considered globally threatened.
     
     The Bolle's Pigeon, as would be expected, is frugivorous, eating fruits of laurel forest trees. The breeding season is long. Occupied nests have been found in nearly every month of the year. The clutch is invariably one egg only.      
     
     
245. Laurel Pigeon  (Paloma Rabiche)  (t3) (Ev)  (*)  ______  TE  (has been called White-tailed Laurel Pigeon) (endemic to the western Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gomera, & La Palma) 
     Columba junoniae  (monotypic)
     
     As is the Bolle's Pigeon, the Laurel Pigeon is a relic of the Tertiary Period, that is endemic to the Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Gomera, and la Palma), and restricted to laurel forests. 
     
     It is slightly more rare than the Bolle's Pigeon (although both are considered globally threatened by Birdlife International). 
     The Laurel Pigeon most typically occurs in areas of mature laurel forest with rocky gorges, steep slopes, and large escarpments.
     
     The population of the Laurel Pigeon has been estimated as ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 birds. Most of these (1,000 to 1,200) are on La Palma, with 120 to 160 in central La Gomera, and 80 to 120 on Tenerife. Some of these figures, however, may need revision, particularly relating to Tenerife, where the species was not recorded until the beginning of the 1970s. (Was it overlooked there?) (We've seen both the Laurel Pigeon and the Bolle's Pigeon during FONT tours on Tenerife.)
     
     There was a substantial reduction of laurel forest in the Canary Islands during the last 500 years. The population of the Laurel Pigeon, after a major decline, appears, however, to have been stable during the period from 1970 to 1990. It must be stated, though, that there's insufficient quantitative data to confirm this.
     
     The nest of the Laurel Pigeon is on the ground (on the negative side, enabling predation by rats and cats). But on the positive side, the nests are usually either on ledges or crevices (sometimes quite hard to reach), or beneath trunks or stones in the interior of the forest.
     The diet, in addition to fruit, includes buds and flower shoots of the laurel forest trees.
     A certain threat to the species, in addition to habitat destruction, over the years, has been hunting.
               
     
246. Woodpigeon  ______
     Columba palumbus
     
     
247. Monk Parakeet (i)  (*) ______  
     Myiopsitta monachus cotorra
     
     The Monk Parakeet is native to South America (Argentina & southern Brazil).
     
     
248. Rose-ringed (or Ring-necked) Parakeet  ______
     Psittacula krameri
     
     
249. Senegal Parrot  ______
     Poicephalus senegalus
     
     
250. Great Spotted Cuckoo  ______
     Clamator glandarius
     
     
251. Common Cuckoo  ______
     Cuculus canorus
     
     
252. Barn Owl  (Lechuza Comun)  (Ed) (ph) (*)  ______  LZ,TE
     Tyto a. alba  (in Spain & western Canary Is.)
     Tyto alba gracilirostris, (in the eastern Canary Islands) 
     
     The subspecies of the Barn Owl that occurs on the western islands of the Canaries (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and El Hierro) is the same as in Europe, T. a. alba.
     In the eastern islands (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and islets), a darker subspecies occurs, T. a. gracilirostris, which is endemic to those islands of the Canaries.
     The species is scarce on Gran Canaria and El Hierro. It is not common on Tenerife, but not as rare as it is on the two (other western) islands just mentioned. On Tenerife, the Barn Owl is not as common as the Long-eared Owl. 
     
     
253. European Scops Owl  ______
     Otus scops
     
     
254. Tawny Owl  ______
     Strix aluco
     
     
255. Northern Long-eared Owl  (ph)  ______
     Asio otus
     
     
256. Short-eared Owl  (ph)  ______
     Asio flammeus
     
     
257. Marsh Owl  ______
     Asio capensis
     
     
258. European Nightjar  ______
     Caprimulgus europacus
     
     
259. Red-necked Nightjar  ______
     Caprimulgus ruficollis
     
     
260. Common Nighthawk  ______
     Chordeiles minor 
     
     
261. Common Swift  (Vencejo Comun) (*)  ______  LZ
     Apus a. apus 
     
     
262. Pallid Swift  (Vencejo Palido)  (*) _______  TE  
     Apus pallidus brehmorum  (in Spain & Canary Is.)
     
     The Pallid Swift has not been well known on the Canaries. Some breed in lower zones throughout the islands. Apparently, Pallid Swifts leave the islands after breeding. 
     The subspecies in the Canaries also occurs in southwestern Europe and the Sahara.  
     
     
263. Plain Swift  (Vencejo Unicolor)  (*)  ______  TE  (a Macaronesian endemic breeder)
     Apus unicolor  (monotypic)
     
     The Plain, or Unicolored, Swift is a species that's endemic (as a nester) to the Canary and Madiera Islands. 
     Flocks of these "andorinas", as they're locally called, are a common sight on the islands. They nest on cliffs and buildings.
     Most leave the islands after breeding. (They have been found in winter along the coast of Morocco.) Some stay throughout the year in the Canaries.   
     
     
264. Alpine Swift  ______
     Apus melba
     
     
265. Little Swift  ______
     Apus affinis
     
     
266. White-rumped Swift  ______
     Apus caffer
     
     
267. Common Kingfisher  (ph)  ______
     Alcedo atthis
     
     
268. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater  ______
     Merops persicus
     
     
269. European Bee-eater  (ph)  ______
     Merops apiaster
     
     
270. European Roller  ______
     Coracias garrulus
     
     
271. Eurasian Hoopoe  (Abubilla)  (*)  ______  FV,LZ
     Upupa e. epops
     
     
272. Great Spotted Woodpecker  (Pico Picapinos)  (*)  ______  TE
     Dendrocopos major canariensis  (1 of 2 endemic subspecies in the Canary Islands)   
     
     
273. Eurasian Wryneck  ______
     Jynx torquilla
     
     
274. Lesser Short-toed Lark  (Terrera Marismena)  (Ev)  (*) ______ FV,TE
     Calandrella rufescens polatzeki  (in Canary Is., endemic)
     
     The Lesser Short-toed Lark is common only on the dry islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, where the subspecies is endemic.
     On Tenerife, however, there appears to be two subspecies: the aforementioned in dry habitat, and C. r. rufescens in moist habitat. On that island (Tenerife), the two subspecies do not occur together - one northerly (where humid), and one southerly (where dry).
     The same situation (with the two segregated subspecies) may also occur on Gran Canaria. 
     
     
275. Greater Short-toed Lark  ______
     Calandrella brachydactyla
     
     
276. Bar-tailed (Desert) Sparrow  ______
     Ammomanes cincturus
     
     
277. (Greater) Hoopoe Lark  ______
     Alaemon alaudipes
     
     
278. Dupont's Lark  ______
     Chersophilus duponti
     
     
279. Calandra Lark  ______
     Melanocorypha calandra
     
     
280. Crested Lark  ______
     Galerida cristata
     
     
281. Eurasian Skylark  ______
     Alauda arvensis
     
     
282. Barn Swallow  (Golondrina Comun)  (*)  ______  FV,LZ
     Hirundo r. rustica
     
     The Swallow (as its known in Europe) is a common migrant (in season) in the Canaries.
     
     
283. Common House Martin  (Avion Comun)  (*) ______ FV
     Delichon u. urbicum
     
     The Common House Martin (in English), or the Avion Comun (in Spanish), is aptly named in both languages, as it is that - a common migrant (in season) in the Canaries.    
     
     
284. Sand Martin  ______  (also called Bank Swallow)
     Riparia riparia
     
     
285. Plain Martin  ______  (has also been called Brown-throated Sand Martin)
     Riparia paludicola
     
     
286. Eurasian Crag Martin  ______
     Ptyonoprogne rupestris
     
     
287. Red-rumped Swallow  ______
     Cecropis daurica
     
     
288. American Cliff Swallow  ______
     Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 
     
     
289. Berthelot's Pipit  (Bisbita Caminero)  (*) ______  FV,LZ,TE  (a Macaronesian endemic)
     Anthus b. berthelotii
     
     The Berthelot's Pipit is common in open habitats, from sea level to high altitudes. It is on all of the Canary Islands, and it is the only resident pipit.    
     
     
290. Richard's Pipit  ______
     Anthus richardi
     
     
291. Tawny Pipit  ______
     Anthus campestris
     
     
292. Olive-backed Pipit  (ph)  ______
     Anthus hodgsoni
     
     
293. Tree Pipit  ______
     Anthus trivialis
     
     
294. Meadow Pipit  ______
     Anthus pratensis
     
     
295. Red-throated Pipit  ______
     Anthus cervinus
     
     
296. Rock Pipit  ______
     Anthus petrosus
     
     
297. Water Pipit  ______
     Anthus spinoletta 
     
     
298. Grey Wagtail  (Lavandera Cascadena)  (*) ______ TE
     Motacilla cinerea canariensis  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     The Grey Wagtail on the Canary Islands is an endemic subspecies to the islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, and La Palma. It is found where there's fresh water. It favors ravines.   
     
     
299. Yellow Wagtail  ______
     Motacilla flava
     
     
300. Citrine Wagtail  ______
     Motacilla citreola
     
     
301. White Wagtail  (ph)  ______
     Motacilla alba
     
     
302. Eurasian Wren  ______
     Troglodytes troglodytes
     
     
303. Gray Catbird  (ph)  ______
     Dumetella carolinensis
     
     
304. Dunnock  ______  (also called Hedge Sparrow)
     Prunella modularis
     
     
305. Alpine Accentor  ______
     Prunella collaris
     
     
306. Rufous Bush Robin  ______  (also called Rufous-tailed Bush Chat)
     Cercotrichas galactotes
     
     
307. Canary Islands Bushchat   (Tarabilla Canaria)  (nt) (Ev)  (*)  ______ FV  (endemic to the Canary Is.) (has also been called Fuerteventura, or Canarian, Chat)  
     Saxicola d. dacotiae
     (Another endemic subspecies of Canarian islets, A. d. murielae, is now extinct.) 
     
     The Canary Islands Bush Chat is endemic to just one island, Fuerteventura, where it occurs mostly in one part of the island, the northern portion. It is usually in areas of ravines and rocky slopes.
     The other subspecies, now extinct, was on the islets of Alegranza and Montana Clara, off Lanzarote.    
     
     
308. Whinchat  ______
     Saxicola rubetra
     
     
309. Common Stonechat  ______
     Saxicola torquatus
     
     
310. Northern Wheatear  (ph)  ______
     Oenanthe oenanthe
     
     
311. Black-eared Wheatear  ______
     Oenanthe hispanica
     
     
312. Isabelline Wheatear  ______
     Oenanthe isabellina
     
     
313. Desert Wheatear  (ph)  ______
     Oenanthe deserti
     
     
314. Mourning Wheatear  ______
     Oenanthe lugens
     
     
315. White-crowned (Black) Wheatear  ______
     Oenanthe leucopyga
     
     
316. European Robin  (Petirrojo)  (*) ______ TE
     Erithacus rubecula superbus  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     The endemic subspecies of the European Robin, E. r. superbus, inhabits Tenerife and Gran Canaria. 
     Another subspecies occurs in the Canaries. It was said to be E. r. microhynchus, and was considered also to be a Canarian endemic. More recently, however, that subspecies has been merged with that of continental Europe, the nominate, E. r. rubecula. It resides on the islands of La Palma, la Gomera, and El Hierro. 
     The European Robin on the Canaries lives mainly in woodlands, including pine groves, and in cultivated areas.    
     
     
317. Thrush Nightingale  ______
     Luscinia luscinia
     
     
318. Common Nightingale  ______
     Luscinia megahynchos
     
     
319. Bluethroat  (ph)  ______
     Luscinia svecica
     
     
320. Black Redstart  (ph)  ______
     Phoenicurus ochruros
     
     
321. Common Redstart  ______
     Phoenicurus phoenicurus
     
     
322. Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush  ______
     Monticola saxatilis
     
     
323. Blue Rock Thrush  ______
     Monticola solitarius
     
     
324. Common Blackbird  (Mirlo Comun)  (*) ______ TE
     Turdus m. merula
     Turdus merula cabrerae  (in the Canary Is., a Macaronesian endemic subspecies)
     
     The subspecies of the Common Blackbird, T. m. cabrerae, is endemic to the Madeira and Canary Islands. In the Canaries, it occurs on the western and central islands in wooded and cultivated areas. 
     
     
325. Ring Ouzel  (ph)  ______
     Turdus torquatus
     
     
326. Fieldfare  ______
     Turdus pilaris
     
     
327. Song Thrush  ______
     Turdus philomelos
     
     
328. Mistle Thrush  ______
     Turdus viscivorus
     
     
329. Redwing  (ph)  ______
     Turdus iliacus
     
     
330. Zitting Cisticola  ______
     Cisticola juncidis
     
     
331. Grasshopper Warbler  ______
     Locustella naevia
     
     
332. Savi's Warbler  ______
     Locustella luscinioides
     
     
333. Aquatic Warbler  ______
     Acrocephalus paludicola
     
     
334. Sedge Warbler  ______
     Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
     
     
335. European Reed Warbler  ______
     Acrocephalus scirpaceus
     
     
336. Great Reed Warbler  ______
     Acrocephalus arundinaceus
     
     
337. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler  ______
     Hippolais pallida
     
     
338. Western Olivaceous Warbler  ______
     Hippolais opaca
     
     
339. Icterine Warbler  ______
     Hippolais icterina
     
     
340. Melodious Warbler  ______
     Hippolais polyglotta
     
     
341. Eurasian Blackcap  (Curruca Capirotada)  (*) ______ TE
     Sylvia atricapilla obscura  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     The endemic subspecies of the Eurasian Blackcap on the Canaries is in scrub, brambles, and cultivated areas. It is found on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma, throughout the year.  
     
     
342. Sardinian Warbler  (Curruca Cabecinegra)  (*) ______  LZ,TE
     Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies; 1 of 2 subspecies there)
     
     The endemic subspecies of the Sardinian Warbler on the Canaries is found in scrub, brambles, and cultivated areas (as is the Blackcap), and in various dry habitats (as is the Spectacled Warbler). It is distributed on all of the Canarian islands. 
     
     
343. Spectacled Warbler  (Curruca Tomillera)  (*) ______ FV,LZ,TR
     Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis  (in Canary Is., a Macaronesian endemic subspecies)
     
     The subspecies of the Spectacled Warbler on the Canary Islands also occurs on the more-southerly Cape Verde Islands. In the Canaries, on all islands, it is generally in dry zones with low vegetation.    
     
     
344. Tristram's Warbler  ______
     Sylvia deserticola
     
     
345. Subalpine Warbler  ______
     Sylvia cantillans
     
     
346. Menetries' Warbler  ______
     Sylvia mystacea
     
     
347. African Desert Warbler  ______
     Sylvia deserti
     
     
348. (Western) Orphean Warbler  ______
     Sylvia hortensis
     
     
349. Common Whitethroat  ______
     Sylvia communis
     
     
350. Lesser Whitethroat  ______
     Sylvia curruca
     
     
351. Garden Warbler  ______
     Sylvia borin
     
     
352. Canary Islands Chiffchaff  (Mosquitero Canaria)  (*) ______  TE   (was considered conspecific with the Common Chiffchaff; endemic to Canary Is.)
     Phylloscopus c. canariensis  (the other Canarian subspecies extinct since the beginning of the 20th Century)
     
     The subspecies of the Canary Islands Chiffchaff, P. c. canariensis, occurs on Tenerife and other islands from Gran Canaria westward.
     Another subspecies, P. c. exsul, was recorded on the eastern Canary Island, Lanzarote, in the Valle de Haria, but apparently it has been extinct since the early 1900s. 
     The subspecies that still exists of the Canarian endemic is common on the western islands, where it is widely distributed in various habitats. 
     It was formerly considered conspecific with (that is, it was a subspecies of) the Common Chiffchaff of Europe, Phylloscopus collybita. That bird occurs in the Canary Islands as a migrant and a winter visitor.        
     
     
353. Common Chiffchaff  ______
     Phylloscopus collybita
     
     
354. Yellow-browed Warbler  (ph)  ______
     Phylloscopus inornatus
     
     
355. Hume's Warbler  ______
     Phylloscopus humei
     
     
356. Western Bonelli's Warbler  ______
     Phylloscopus bonelli
     
     
357. Wood Warbler  ______
     Phylloscopus sibilatrix 
     
     
358. Willow Warbler  ______
     Phylloscopus trochilus
     
     
359. "Canary Islands Goldcrest"  (Reyezuelo Tenerife)  (*) ______  TE  (endemic to the western Canary Is.) (this subspecies of the Goldcrest has also been called the "Tenerife, or Canarian, Kinglet")  
     Regulus (regulus) teneriffae  
     
     The "Canary Islands Goldcrest" is now (again) considered a subspecies of the Goldcrest (the smallest European bird). It inhabits forests on Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro. 
     
     
360. Spotted Flycatcher  ______
     Muscicapa striata
     
     
361. Red-breasted Flycatcher  ______
     Ficedula parva
     
     
362. Collared Flycatcher  ______
     Ficedula albicollis
     
     
363. Pied Flycatcher  ______
     Ficedula hypoleuca
     
     
364. African Blue Tit  (Herrerillo Comun)  (*) ______  TE
     Cyanistes (formerly Parus) ultramarinus degener (in eastern Canary Is. inc. Fuerteventura, endemic)
     Cyanistes (formerly Parus) ultramarinus teneriffae (in central Canary Is. inc. Tenerife, endemic) 
     (Two other endemic subspecies occur in the Canary Islands, both on western islands, C.u. palmensis on La Palma and C.u. ombriosus on El Hierro.
     
     The African Blue Tit has differentiated into the most races (or subspecies) of any Canarian bird: 4.
     C. u. teneriffe is on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and La Gomera.
     C. u. ombriosus is only on El Hierro.
     C. u. palmensis is only on La Palma.
     C. u. degener is on the dry, eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
     On each of these island, these birds occupy a variety of habitats.
       
     
365. Northern Great Tit  (ph)  ______
     Parus major
     
     
366. Eurasian Nuthatch  (ph)  ______ 
     Sitta europaea
     
     
367. Eurasian Penduline Tit  ______
     Remiz pendulinus
     
     
368. Golden Oriole  ______
     Oriolus oriolus
     
     
369. Southern Grey Shrike  (Alcaudon Real)  (Ed) (*)  ______  FV,LZ  (was conspecific with the Northern, or Great, Grey Shrike, that's been called Northern Shrike in North America)
     Lanius meridionalis koenigi  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     The Southern Grey Shrike was formerly conspecific with the Great Grey Shrike, as it's called in the Old World. 
     
     The Southern Grey Shrike ranges in Spain, Africa, Arabia, India, and elsewhere in south-central Asia. (In the last of these areas, it is referred to as the "Steppe Shrike".)       
     
     
370. Isabelline Shrike  ______
     Lanius isabellinus
     
     
371. Red-backed Shrike  ______
     Lanius collurio
     
     
372. Woodchat Shrike  ______
     Lanius senator
     
     
373. Northern Raven  (Cuervo)  (ph) (*) ______  FV,LZ,TE
     Corvus corax tingitanus  (a rare subspecies in the Canary Is.)
     
     The subspecies of the Northern Raven in the Canaries also occurs in northern Africa. The bird is scarce to uncommon in the Canaries, having declined in recent years.  
     
     
374. Western Jackdaw  (ph)  ______
     Corvus monedula
     
     
375. Red-billed Chough  ______
     Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
     
     
376. Spotted Nutcracker  ______
     Nucifraga caryocatactes
     
     
377. Common Starling  (Estornino Pinto)  (ph) (*)  ______  TE 
     Sturnus v. vulgaris
     
     
378. Spotless Starling  ______
     Sturnus unicolor
     
     
379. Rosy Starling  ______  (has been called Rose-colored Starling)
     Sturnus roseus
     
     
380. Common Myna (i)  (Mina Comun) (*) ______  TE  
     Acridotheres tristis
     
     The Common Myna is native to southern Asia. During a FONT tour in the Canaries, one was seen in an arid portion of southern Tenerife during the month of July.  
     
     
381. Spanish Sparrow  (Gorrion moruno)  (*) ______  FV,LZ,TE
     Passer h. hispaniolensis
     
     The Spanish Sparrow is a relatively recent immigrant (on its own) to the Canaries, having spread from the eastern islands west to El Hierro during the last two centuries. It is found in cities, towns, gardens, and parks. 
     
     
382. Eurasian Tree Sparrow  (ph)  ______
     Passer montanus
     
     
383. Rock Petronia  (Gorrion chillon)  (*) ______  TE  (has also been called Rock Sparrow)
     Petronia petronia  (the single member of its genus)
     Petronia p. madeirensis  (in the Canary Is., a Macaronesian endemic subspecies)
     
     The Rock Sparrow in the Canaries is said to have declined during the last couple centuries as the Spanish Sparrow has spread (having been displaced from towns and cities). 
     Usually, now, the Rock Sparrow is mostly found in ravines and areas of rocky terrain in lower and mid elevation on all Canarian islands, except Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.   
     
     
384. Common Waxbill  (i) (ph)  ______
     Estrilda astrild
     
     
385. Common Chaffinch  (Pinzon vulgar)  (*) ______  TE
     Fringilla coelebs canariensis (formerly F. c. tintillon)  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     There are 3 distinctive subspecies of the Common Chaffinch in the Canaries: 
     F. c. canariensis on Tenerife, La Gomera, and Gran Canaria,
     F. c. palmae on La Palma, and
     F. c. ombriosa on El Hierro.
     Each is found in woodland habitats. 
     
     
386. Blue Chaffinch  (Pinzon azul)  (cd) (Ev)  (*) ______  TE   (endemic to Canary Is.)  (has also been called Teydefinch)
     Fringilla t. teydea  (1 of 2 subspecies in the Canary Islands)
     
     The Blue Chaffinch is one of the most attractive of the Canarian endemic birds. There are two subspecies: F. t. teydea on Tenerife, and F. t. polatzeki on Gran Canaria. The latter is scarce and localized.
     The bird is associated with forests of Canary Pine, where it feeds on pine kernels, laburnum and broom seeds, as well as beetle larvae, which it extracts from pine bark.  
     
     
387. Brambling  (ph)  ______
     Fringilla montifringilla
     
     
388. European Goldfinch  (Jilguero)  (*) ______  TE
     Carduelis carduelis parva  (subspecies in the Canary Islands)
     
     The subspecies of the European Goldfinch in the Canaries and Azores is also that of the western Mediterranean region. In the Canaries, it can be found on all islands, but usually it is scarce.  
     
     
389. European Greenfinch  (Verderon comun)  (*) ______ TE
     Carduelis chloris auratilyuentris
     
     The subspecies of the European Greenfinch in the Canaries is also that of southern Europe and northern Africa. The species is said to have colonized in the Canaries recently. 
     
     
390. Common Linnet  (Pardillo comun)  (*) ______ FV,TE
     Carduelis cannabina meadewaldoi  (in Canary Is., an endemic subspecies)
     
     There are two endemic subspecies of the Common Linnet in the Canaries:
     A. c. harterti on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and
     A. c. meadewaldoi on the other islands to the west.
     
     
391. Eurasian Siskin  (ph)  ______
     Carduelis spinus 
     
     
392. Atlantic Canary  (Canario)  (*) ______  TE  (species endemic to Canary Is.)  (has been called Island Canary) 
     Serinus canaria  (monotypic)
     
     The Atlantic Canary is endemic to the Macaronesian islands of the eastern Atlantic, in the Canaries, Madeira, and the Azores. In the Canaries, it is most frequent in areas of cultivated fields, pine groves, and forest edges in the central and western islands.
     
     
393. European Serin  ______
     Serinus serinus
     
     
394. Common (or Red) Crossbill  (ph)  ______
     Loxia curvirostra
     
     
395. Trumpeter Finch  (Camachuelo trompetero)  (Er) (*)  ______ FV,LZ
     Bucanetes githagineus amantum  (subspecies endemic to Canary Is.)
     
     The Canarian subspecies of the Trumpeter Finch, B. g. amamtum, inhabits deserts and stony places on all islands except La Palma and El Hierro. (On the latter island, however, it has been recorded recently, but nesting there has not been confirmed.)
     
     
396. "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Warbler  (ph)  ______   
     Dendroica c. coronata
     
     
397. Blackpoll Warbler  (ph)  ______
     Dendroica striata
     
     
398. Louisiana Waterthrush  ______
     Seiurus motacilla
     
     
399. Lapland Bunting (or Longspur)  (ph)  ______
     Calcarius lapponicus
     
     
400. Snow Bunting  (ph)  ______
     Calcarius (formerly Plectrophenax) nivalis
     
     
401. Cirl Bunting  ______  
     Emberiza cirlus
     
     
402. House Bunting  ______
     Emberiza striolata
     
     
403. Ortolan Bunting  ______
     Emberiza hortulana
     
     
404. Cretzschmar's Bunting  ______
     Emberiza caesia
     
     
405. Little Bunting  ______
     Emberiza pusilla
     
     
406. Reed Bunting  ______
     Emberiza schoeniclus
     
     
407. Corn Bunting  (Triguero)  (*) ______  TE
     Emberiza (was the monotypic genus Miliaria) calandria thanneri  (subspecies in Canary Is.)
     
     The Corn Bunting is found on all Canarian islands in areas of grassy fields, grain crops, and pastures. It is apparently migratory.
     
     
     

     

     
     To Top of Page