Madeira has five bird species found nowhere else under the Regional Government’s current checklist, but the fuller answer is more nuanced: the archipelago also has endemic subspecies and birds shared with other Macaronesian islands. In this updated guide, we separate Madeira-only species from Macaronesian endemics, explain the changing status of the Madeiran chaffinch, and show where visitors can responsibly look for the trocaz pigeon, Madeira firecrest and Zino’s petrel.
The short answer: five Madeira-endemic bird species
If you are asking how many endemic birds does Madeira have, the current answer used by Madeira’s Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) is five endemic species of the Madeira Archipelago. They are the Desertas petrel (Pterodroma deserta), Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira), Madeiran chaffinch (Fringilla maderensis), trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz) and Madeira firecrest (Regulus madeirensis).
This is an archipelago-wide count, rather than a promise that all five can be seen on the main island. The Desertas petrel breeds on Bugio, in the protected Desertas Islands, while Zino’s petrel breeds high in Madeira’s eastern mountain massif. For ordinary visitors, the realistic and rewarding targets are the trocaz pigeon, Madeira firecrest and Madeiran chaffinch in the Laurissilva forest.
Taxonomy is the reason that different sources may give a different total. Older references commonly treat the Madeiran chaffinch as a subspecies of the common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs maderensis. The IFCN’s current 2026 checklist treats it as Fringilla maderensis, raising the Madeira-endemic species total to five. It is sensible to state which checklist you are following rather than presenting one number as universal.
Species, subspecies and Macaronesian birds: what the numbers mean
Endemic means naturally restricted to a particular place. In birdwatching, that place can be a single island, an entire archipelago or the wider Macaronesian region, which includes Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and the Selvagens.
Alongside the five Madeira-archipelago endemic species, the IFCN lists five endemic subspecies of the Madeira Archipelago: Madeira buzzard, Madeira barn owl, Madeira grey wagtail, Madeiran Berthelot’s pipit and Madeiran linnet. These are distinctive local forms of wider-ranging species, not separate species in the regional count.
There is also one Macaronesian endemic species, the plain swift (Apus unicolor), plus 12 Macaronesian endemic subspecies. These matter to birders, but they should not be added to the five when answering the question narrowly. A plain swift is special to this Atlantic island region, for example, but is not exclusive to Madeira.
The distinction becomes particularly useful in the forest. A visitor may hear a singing Madeiran chaffinch, glimpse a Madeira grey wagtail along a levada and see a plain swift overhead in one morning. All are locally significant; only the chaffinch is currently counted by the IFCN as one of the five Madeira-endemic species.
The three endemic birds most visitors can realistically see
Trocaz pigeon: Madeira’s large, blue-grey pigeon is the easiest flagship endemic to identify. Look for its pale tail band and listen for its deep, resonant calls in mature Laurissilva. It is closely associated with native forest, especially areas with til trees, whose fruit forms an important part of its diet. Chão da Ribeira above Seixal, Queimadas and Ribeiro Frio are excellent places to start.
Madeira firecrest: Known locally as bis-bis, this tiny, restless insect-eater is Madeira’s smallest bird. It is far more often heard than photographed: listen for its high, quick calls in mossy woodland, then watch the outer branches and foliage. Ribeiro Frio and Queimadas are especially good because the forest is accessible and birds often forage at eye level.
Madeiran chaffinch: This familiar-looking but distinctive island bird is common in woodland, gardens and picnic areas. It can be the most approachable of the endemic trio, but please do not feed it. At Ribeiro Frio and the Balcões viewpoint, patience beside the trail is more effective, and much kinder, than offering food.
For a gentle first outing, combine Ribeiro Frio Forest Park with PR 11 Vereda dos Balcões. The route follows the Levada da Serra do Faial through forest to a viewpoint, giving you time to scan quietly rather than rushing between sites. For more background before visiting, see our guide to Queimadas Forest Park.
| Practical fact | What to know |
|---|---|
| Best easy birdwatching base | Ribeiro Frio, in the municipality of Santana, for trocaz pigeon, Madeira firecrest and Madeiran chaffinch. |
| Recommended walk | PR 11 Vereda dos Balcões: 3 km return, easy, with an official walking time of about 1 hour 30 minutes. |
| PR 11 start and finish | ER 103 at Ribeiro Frio; the path returns by the same route from Balcões viewpoint. |
| 2026 PR 11 access fee | €4.50 for visitors aged over 12; visitors aged 12 and under are exempt. Payment is made through the SIMplifica portal. |
| Best forest season | Year-round; spring brings active song, while autumn and winter can be quieter but remain productive in the Laurissilva. |
| Zino’s petrel | Breeds in the eastern mountain massif. Responsible night visits to breeding areas require an authorised operator and should never be attempted independently. |
Zino’s petrel and Desertas petrel: rare birds, not tick-box sightings
Zino’s petrel is among Madeira’s most extraordinary birds and one of its most sensitive conservation stories. Its breeding sites lie on small high-altitude ledges between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, above 1,600 metres. The birds return to land after dark from April onwards, and their calls can be heard on suitable moonless nights.
That does not mean visitors should walk into the mountains at night in search of one. Access to the breeding area requires IFCN authorisation, and guided visits are the appropriate way to hear the birds without disturbing them. Daytime sightings from Pico do Areeiro are not a realistic expectation: the petrels are at sea during the day.
The Desertas petrel is even less accessible. It breeds on Bugio in the Desertas Islands, within a tightly protected reserve. Boat excursions may offer distant views of the islands and pelagic seabirds, but landing and moving around protected areas is regulated. Treat this species as a conservation priority rather than a bird to pursue.
How to plan a responsible Madeira birdwatching day
Early morning is best for forest birds. Arrive at Ribeiro Frio soon after first light, move slowly along the first section of PR 11 and pause where forest edges meet native trees. The firecrest’s movement and calls become easier to pick out when the path is quiet, while trocaz pigeons are often detected by sound before they appear in the canopy.
Bring binoculars, a waterproof layer and footwear with grip: shade, drizzle and slippery surfaces are normal in the Laurissilva. Check official trail status before leaving, as rain, maintenance and landslides can affect access. Madeira’s paid classified trails also have specific booking and fee rules; our Madeira hiking fees in 2026 guide explains the practical system.
- Use your ears first: the Madeira firecrest is tiny and active, but its high calls often reveal its position.
- Walk quietly and pause: ten still minutes in good forest usually beat a fast, noisy hike.
- Never feed birds: approachable chaffinches and pigeons remain wild animals and should not be conditioned to people.
- Keep to marked paths: this protects fragile plants, breeding habitat and your own safety in wet forest.
- Choose dawn for forest birds: it is cooler, calmer and generally the most vocal part of the day.
- Book petrel experiences responsibly: use an authorised operator and avoid playback, torches aimed into habitat and independent night approaches.
Frequently asked questions
How many endemic birds does Madeira have?
Madeira’s regional conservation authority currently lists five endemic bird species for the Madeira Archipelago. It separately lists five Madeira-endemic subspecies, one Macaronesian endemic species and 12 Macaronesian endemic subspecies.
What is the easiest endemic bird to see in Madeira?
The trocaz pigeon and Madeiran chaffinch are usually the most straightforward targets in accessible Laurissilva locations such as Ribeiro Frio and Queimadas. The Madeira firecrest is also common, but its small size makes it harder to watch.
Can I see Zino’s petrel from Pico do Areeiro during the day?
No. Zino’s petrels are at sea during daylight and return to their mountain breeding grounds after sunset. Any visit near breeding areas should be arranged through an authorised operator.
Is the Madeira firecrest found outside Madeira?
No. The Madeira firecrest is endemic to the Madeira Archipelago. Its close relatives occur elsewhere in Europe and North Africa, but this species is restricted to Madeira.
Facts and prices verified in November 2026. For more wildlife context, read our guide to Madeira’s endemic birds, discover the island’s native flora in how many endemic plants Madeira has, and plan around seasonal conditions with our Madeira weather by month guide.
