Photo by Sofia Camacho

Fringilla coelebs madeirensis (Sharpe 1888), locally called Tentilhão, is a native sub-specie from Madeira Island, with an unusual pattern of colors that distinguishes it from other birds. It has a rose-colored chest and white stripes in the wings being the external area of the tail white too.

They present a great sexual dimorphism, the females have more monotonous coloration, while the males have very vivid colors.

This Chaffinch occurs mostly in indigenous or exotic forest, but also in agricultural and rural habitation areas with bushes and low vegetation. It's estimated that its population has 10000 individuals, distributed all over the island except for the lower altitudes and arid areas. The population presents a stable evolution with no threatenings against it.

Photo by Sofia Camacho

Motacilla cinerea schmitzi (Tschusi 1900), locally called Lavandeira, is a native sub-specie from Madeira Archipelago. It is identified by its yellow chest and by its characteristic tail movements. The flight is undulated and usually followed by an acute and metallic call.

Lavandeira occurs in many different habitats but essentially in those with water, like the course of brooks and "levadas", from the sea level to the higher peaks of Madeira Island the only island where it lives. Once, this Grey Wagtail have been found to nest in Porto Santo Island however, lately there is no evidence for this to happen.

The total population is estimated to have 2500 to 10000 individuals, presenting a stable evolution with no threatenings against it.

This specie is a great example of insular biogeography with the occurrence of 3 sub-species in Macaronesia archipelagos.

The only nocturne terrestrial bird living in Madeira Archipelago is an endemic sub-specie of owl, Tyto alba schmitzi (Hartert, 1900). It is easily recognized because of its silhouette during the flight and because of its strident and sharp callings.

This owl can be found in humanized areas, either urban or agricultural, in the forest, in open areas with low vegetation and in deep valleys inside the island. The total population is estimated to have from 2500 to 10 000 individuals distributed all over Madeira Island, with less individuals in higher areas. The population is not in danger.

It nests not only in Madeira Island but also in Porto Santo Island. Before 1996 it used to nest in Desertas Islands but the program of recovering the terrestrial habitats from Deserta Grande, which concerned the elimination of the herbivorous species inhabiting there, eliminated all its possibilities to nest.