Current view: Text account
Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA is constituted by two distinct zones: the first along the western coast, from Porto dos Capelinhos to the Porto da Fajã; the second includes the volcano of Capelinhos, active in 1957-58, and the adjacent coastline.constituída por um cone vulcânico costeiro, uma praia de areia e falésias adjacentes.
Important for breeding seabirds, especially the Cory's Shearwater and the Roseate Tern.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Feral terrestrial mammals (dogs, cats, rats and weasels) affect most of the seabirds, especially those who nest in holes and burrows. In 1998 the predation by feral cats in the colonies of the Capelinhos was so evident that only 2 pairs of Roseate Terns attempted to nest there the year after. Capture of Cory's Shearwaters and other seabirds exist in small scale. Invasive plant species like the cane reduces the available nesting habitat for seabirds. Seabird colonies are disturbed by illegal recreation activities. The absence of the establishment of the SPA by the regional law constitutes a weakness in its surveillance and legal protection. There is a management plan for the SPA Capelinhos.
National Protected Area Vulcão dos Capelinhos/Natural Forestal Reserve Capelinhos.International Espetial Protected Area Caldeira e Capelinhos; SCI Caldeira e Capelinhos
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Capelinhos (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/capelinhos-iba-portugal on 05/12/2024.
