Bird Species existing between Castelo de Paiva and Arouca
The Nature Tourism resort Cimo da Vinha – Nature Spot is located in the extreme south of the municipality of Castelo de Paiva, in the parish of Real. Already very close to the border with Arouca, it is just 7 km from the Paiva Walkways but also 20 minutes away from the Douro river. This proximity to fields, rivers, forests and mountains – and to yet wild habitats – makes its adjacent biodiversity very rich and makes it possible to observe several species of animals, including many birds.
The open views of an almost infinite horizon, the silence and the fact that the altitude is already close to 400 meters transform Cimo da Vinha in a natural amphitheater privileged for bird watching, which (done in a non-intrusive way) is an important activity in the preservation of species.
Based on empirical knowledge of the locals – but also with the scientific help of information compiled by the Geopark of Arouca (on its section on regional fauna) and on the website Aves de Portugal – we present a list of bird species that, with greater predictability, can be observed here, in Cimo da Vinha – Nature Spot.
The species of birds that can be observed in the south of the parish of Real, where the municipalities of Castelo de Paiva and Arouca meet.
Round-Winged Eagle
Order: Accipitriformes
Famíly: Accipitridae
Genos: Buteo
Species: Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758)
“As this is one of the most abundant prey in Portugal, it will not be difficult to find the characteristic half-moon mark on this bird’s chest.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Henrique Oliveira Pires
White Wagtail
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genos: Motacilla
Species:Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758
“The white wagtail is one of the best-known species among most people, with its typical swaying tail and black-and-white color combination.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: FCT Viva
Wren
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae
Genos: Troglodytes
Species: Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758)
“This is one of the smallest passerines in our avifauna, but at the same time with one of the most powerful and melodic songs.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Wild Ambience
Royal Tit
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genos: Parus
Species: Parus major (Linnaeus, 1758)
“The largest of the Portuguese tits boasts magnificent colorful plumage, which is worth looking for in our forests and woodlands.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: C. M. Bombarral
Wood Owl
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genos: Strix
Species: Strix aluco (Linnaeus, 1758)
“When in flight, you can notice the brownish tone, which allows you to distinguish it from the barn owl, and the relatively short and rounded wings, which distinguish it from the lesser owl and the owl.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: STRI
Crow
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genos: Corvus
Species: Corvus corax (Linnaeus, 1758)
“The crow is one of the most acrobatic species of our avifauna and this characteristic is visible in the fantastic flights it performs.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Alan Costa
Black Starling
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genos: Sturnus
Species: Sturnus unicolor (Temminck, 1820)
“It has a yellowish beak and a dark body, although the tail is shorter and the posture is more upright. It can also be distinguished from the blackbird by its pink legs and bright tones on its body.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Francesco Veronesi
Jay
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genos: Garrulus
Species: Garrulus glandarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
“The jay is one of the «imitators» that we can find among the species of our avifauna, surprising with its immense capacity to reproduce other sounds.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Green Savers
Siskin
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genos: Spinus
Species: Spinus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758)
“Also known as the green goldfinch, the siskin is an extremely acrobatic finch and can often be seen hanging upside down while searching for food in trees.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: David Germano
Blackbird
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genos: Turdus
Species: Turdus merula (Linnaeus, 1758)
“The blackbird is one of the most recognized species, making the presence of this bird in the green areas of the main locations in our territory well known.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: André Vieira
Black Kite
Order: Accipitriformes
Famíly: Accipitridae
Genos: Milvus
Species: Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)
“Hunter, fisherman, scavenger and opportunist – all of these adjectives can be used to describe this bird of prey – which can regularly be seen patrolling our roads.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Carolina Silva
European Serin
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genos: Serinus
Species: Serinus serinus (Linnaeus, 1766)
“One of the most common sights in our territory is this small passerine perched on top of the trees singing, even in the hottest hours.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Rita de Cássia
Owl
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genos: Athene
Species: Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769)
“This small owl is the easiest nocturnal bird of prey to observe, due to its partially diurnal habits. Its habit of perching on high points, on the side of the road, makes this species quite conspicuous.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Andy Morffeu
Sparrow
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Genos: Passer
Species: Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)
“One of the most abundant species of our avifauna, and probably the most conspicuous, the common sparrow has been established in urban environments for a long time, making it quite easy to detect.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Filipe Caetano
Red Partridge
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genos: Alectoris
Species: Alectoris rufa (Linnaeus, 1758)
“It is not uncommon to be surprised by a flock of partridges crossing the road. This species, highly coveted by hunters, is often the subject of hunting management programs.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Paulo Dioni
Spotted Woodpecker
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genos: Dendrocopos
Species: Dendrocopos major (Linnaeus, 1758)
“This woodpecker’s undulating flight, harsh call or drumming are usually the first sign of its presence.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Filipe Gil
Green Woodpecker
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Picus
Species: Picus sharpei (H Saunders, 1872)
“Heard more often than seen, the green woodpecker stands out mainly for its “laugh”, as if mocking observers.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Vale do Louredo
Shrike
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Laniidae
Genos: Lanius
Species: Lanius senator (Linnaeus, 1758)
“This species marks Spring, with its conspicuous rust-colored cap. It generally lands in clearly visible places, such as fences, overhead cables or tree tops.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Blake Matherson
Common Linnet
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genos: Linaria
Species: Linaria cannabina (Linnaeus, 1758)
“Although it is quite territorial during the spring, in winter it presents a gregarious behavior, and large flocks can be observed in the agricultural fields of our territory.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: António Moreira
Goldfinch
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genos: Carduelis
Species: Carduelis carduelis (Linnaeus, 1758)
“The bright red, yellow and black are the most prominent marks of this small passerine.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Tribo da Estrela
European Robin
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genos: Erithacus
Species: Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758)
“It stands out for its striking plumage and for singing at any time of the year, its song being one of the most beautiful in our forests.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: JLasWilson
Wild Pegeon
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genos: Columba
Species: Columba oenas (Linnaeus, 1758)
“This “gray-looking” pigeon is uncommon in Portugal and can easily go unnoticed by less attentive observers.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Gisela Braun
Hoopoe
Order: Bucerotiformes
Family: Upupidae
Genos: Upupa
Species: Upupa epops (Linnaeus, 1758)
“Its characteristic hoopoe makes this bird one of the most emblematic species of our fauna.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Capela Arraiana
Black Redstart
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genos: Phoenicurus
Species: Phoenicurus ochruros (SG Gmelin, 1774)
“Also known by the names of carvoeiro or blacksmith robin, the black redstart is one of the most characteristic birds of villages in the north and center.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Diogo Oliveira
European Turtle Dove
× Conservation status in Portugal: Threatened (VU)
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genos: Streptopelia
Species: Streptopelia turtur
“Like the arrival of the swallows and the call of the cuckoo, the cooing of the turtle dove also marks the beginning of Spring. Unfortunately, it is a sound that is heard less and less.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Paul Cools
Wild Nightingale
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cettiidae
Genos: Cettia
Species: Cettia cetti (Temminck, 1820)
“The song of the wild nightingale can be heard throughout the year in the reedbeds. However, observing this bird is not always an easy task, as it tends to remain hidden among the vegetation.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Joaquim Antunes
Chaffinch
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genos: Fringilla
Species: Fringilla coelebs (Linnaeus, 1758)
“When looking for birds in our woods and forests, it is almost impossible not to come across the finch, as it is one of the most abundant species. This species sings at the first dawn.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Francisco Clamote
Thrush
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genos: Turdus
Species: Turdus philomelos (CL Brehm, 1831)
“It is the most common of our thrushes, which can be locally abundant in olive groves. It is usually seen on the run.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Guarda-Rios do Lima
Eurasian Blackcap
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genos: Sylvia
Species: Sylvia atricapilla (Linnaeus, 1758)
“The melodious song of the capped warbler is one of the most characteristic sounds of urban parks and gardens.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: David Germano
Greenfinch
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genos: Chloris
Species: Chloris chloris (Linnaeus, 1758)
“Like other finches, the greenfinch also has a showy and eye-catching color. However, it is its song that draws the most attention.”
on avesdeportugal.info
Photo: Rogério Rodrigues
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cimo da Vinha is a Nature Tourism resort in Castelo de Paiva, between the Paiva and Douro rivers. Its team is made up entirely of local workers with a deep knowledge of the regional geography and its traditions. This understanding of the territory is at the service not only of our guests but also of this Blog.