Why watch birds in Andalusia?

Andalusia proudly boasts an immense diversity of birds for a number of reasons: Its great amount of varied habitats and its relatively good conservation status. Added to this its position between Europe and Africa allows the opportunity to see birds of both continents and this a strategic point for bird migration. There are only a few places in the world that offer such diversity, experience and beauty for the dedicated lover of birds.

In Andalusia you can observe almost 450 species of birds. 53% of all European species may be observed in this region. This is literally a bird lovers paradise. An amazing 327 species appear regularly ( every year in greater or lesser amounts).

In addition to the diversity of species available in Andalusia, many are notable for different reasons.

The most wanted Andalusian birds

Iberian endemic species: only found in a worldwide level in the Iberian Peninsula.

Nearly endemic: most of its population is located in the Iberian Peninsula with small populations in neighboring countries.

Balearic endemism: they exclusively breed in the Balearic islands but throughout their migrations can be observed in Andalusia.

Very threatened species: their conservation status is unfavourable, for some of them on a worldwide level.

African birds of recent colonisation: species of African distribution that have colonized the Iberian Peninsula as nesting birds in recent times.

Only location in Europe: the Iberian Peninsula is the only place all over Europe where these birds can be observed.

Present only surrounding the Mediterranean Sea: species distributed exclusively in the Mediterranean basin.

Best country in Europe: these species can also be found in other European countries and some regions of Africa or Asia, but within Europe, Spain is the best place to observe them due its abundance here.

Rarities: very scarce species but in some cases of regular appearance every year.

Charismatics: birds that stand out for their colorfulness, behavior or for being well known.

In addition, throughout the year there are important concentrations of birds that attract the attention of any bird watcher, as the big flocks of waders, waterfowl and cranes in Doñana, or Glossy Ibis in Brazo del Este.

And, of course, in the southern corner of Andalusia, the chief attraction of the Strait of Gibraltar is that it is overflown by thousands of White Storks, Black Kites, Griffon Vultures, European Honey Buzzards, Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles, Egyptian Vultures… during their migrations.

Click on the following links to see the entire checklist of Andalusian birds and the observation probability in every one of our routes.