In the spotlight

Birding on Tenerife

Canary Islands  >  Spain

The island of Tenerife is an attractive travel destination. There is the breathtaking volcanic landscape and the exotic plants that make you feel as if you were on a different planet. There is the fact that the weather is pleasant all year round. But it's the endemic birds that make a trip to Tenerife a must for birders. 

Description

Tenerife is home to some 70 species of breeding birds and many migrating birds visit the island on their way north or south. However, on Tenerife it is not about the numbers, but about the special bird species that you can observe. Endemic birds only found on the Canary Islands, or only shared with some the other Atlantic Islands. Birds such as the Canary, Tenerife Blue Chaffinch, Berthelot’s Pipit, Tenerife Goldcrest, Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Plain Swift, Laurel Pigeon and Bolle’s Pigeon. 

Besides the endemic birds the island has a range of interesting subspecies, that are restricted to the Canary Islands. For example the local races of Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Great Grey Shrike and of Great-spotted Woodpecker. The seabirds are also a nice extra of Tenerife. Huge numbers of Cory's Shearwater can be seen above sea and heard at night when they enter their nests on the many cliffs. Doing a whalewatching of dolphin trip on Tenerife (which is definitely recommended) or taking the ferry to La Gomera and back brings even more pelagic birds. For example Barolo Shearwater, Bulwer's Petrel or Madeiran Storm Petrel.

Tenerife is the best place on the Canary Islands to really see these endemic birds. On Birdingplaces.eu all the best birding sites on Tenerife are described in detail. With map, species list, how to get there, where to park and how and where you can find the birds. On the map below you can see the most interesting birding areas. Zoom in on the map and click on a red dot for a detailed area description.

Map