Data Zone
Country/territory: Portugal
Subnational region(s): Azores
IBA Justification: A1, A2, B3, C1, C2, C6 (2002)
Area: 6,083 hectares (60.83 km2)
BirdLife Partner(s): Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves
Site description (2002 baseline)
This site refers to an extensive inland area of the São Miguel island, including its highest points - Pico da Vara (1.103m), Pico Verde (931m), some valleys and other mountains in the norteast sector of the island. It comprises the only remnant areas of the native laurisilva forest of the island of São Miguel.
Key biodiversity
The only population of the world for the Azorean Bullfinch. Also one of the important sites for the Azorean Wood Pigeon in all the archipelago. Also interesting for several endemic subspecies of passerines, e.g. the Chaffinch, the Goldcrest and the Blackcap.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pico da Vara (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pico-da-vara-iba-portugal on 10/01/2025.