Current view: Text account
Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
Mountainous zone with cliffs, scarps and deep valleys, located in center-oriental region of Madeira. In this place we find highest peaks of the island, and it receives the largest number of visitors, mainly in hottest months of the year. Besides altitud vegetation, we can find areas of transition forest and laurissilva in lower places.
This is the only known breeding area of
Pterodroma madeira in the world. Colonies of
Puffinus puffinus are found too. And is also remarcable the breeding of
Petronia petronia madeirensis, Anthus berthelottii, Apus unicolor and A
ccipiter nisus grantii in the zone. In lower places, at laurissilva patches, some
Columba trocaz pairs are found.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Although to have been considered extinct in the Sixties,Ppterodroma madeira was rediscovered in 1969 and persecuted by collectors. Since 1986, each year, Madeira Nature Park with the colaboration of Freira Association, carry out a rats and cats control project to maximize its breeding success. Grazing was a serious problem in the past, but in the last years, madeira's regional government has made an effort to acquire these lands and to retire the sheeps. operation was concluded in 2002. Vegetation recovery is essential to Pterodroma madeira's, who breeds only in cliff's typical vegetation, free of cattle.Rest species populations in the area seem to be stable, except those of Columba trocaz which are unknown. The construction project of a militar radar station in Pico do Areeiro, without a complet enviromental impact study, could be a risk to Pterodroma madeira survival, (wich is) the most threatened bird in Europe.
National Nature Park of Madeira, Special Protection Area Maciço Montanhoso Oriental (PTZPE0041)International Special Protection Area Maciço Montanhoso Oriental .
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Maciço Montanhoso Oriental (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/maciço-montanhoso-oriental-iba-portugal on 23/11/2024.
