Spain stands out as a unique hub for bird life. It hosts eight species that are found nowhere else in the world, and it is the only country in Europe where ten additional species have been recorded. In total, Spain is home to as many as 32 species, representing more than 75% of the European population. These facts are highlighted in the newly released Atlas III of Birds in Breeding Season in Spain by SEO/BirdLife. The organization emphasizes that protecting natural heritage is a critical duty and a core challenge for conservation in the country.
The SEO/BirdLife atlas maps the distribution, trends, and populations of 450 bird species observed in Spain. Of these, 302 are breeders within the country, while 148 occur only during the spring season. The eight global endemics are found in Spain’s Balearic and Canary Islands, including the Balearic Warbler, Turquoise Pigeon, Balearic Sailwater, Tenerife Blue Finch, Canary Chiffchaff, Rattlesnake Pigeon, Gran Canaria Blue Finch, and Canary Stonehead.
The atlas contains more than 2,182 maps, 931 charts, and 230 tables. It segments the national territory into 5,600 grids of 100 square kilometers to analyze the presence of birds, then compares the results with the previous atlas covering 1998 to 2002. This approach helps illustrate changes in distribution and population trends across the country as time progresses.
Effects of climate change
Across many species, the atlas captures a clear picture of the gradual decline of some of the most vulnerable birds. It shows that climate change plays a major role in biodiversity loss and drives shifts in where species are found and, in some cases, their extinction risk. Human activities also contribute to negative impacts, with the intensification and industrialization of agriculture and animal husbandry altering habitats. Desertification in southern Spain, along with the uneven spread of renewable energy projects, has disrupted the few areas where threatened species still survive.
The atlas presents a candid view of how land use changes and climate pressures interact, creating a landscape where conservation needs to adapt continually. It underscores the importance of monitoring and protecting key habitats before declines become irreversible.
In the accompanying imagery and data, one can see repeated references to mature endemics and the fragile balance that sustains their populations. The Tenerife Blue Finch, Canary Chiffchaff, and several other island endemics highlight the unique regional biodiversity that requires targeted stewardship.
In this work, the distribution of breeding and non breeding populations is mapped with a clarity that helps explain how shifts in temperature, precipitation, and habitat connectivity influence bird life across the peninsula and islands. The text and visuals together offer a practical blueprint for researchers, planners, and citizen scientists who aim to support biodiversity in Spain. The atlas functions as a national inventory, a trend monitor, and a catalyst for conservation action, all at once, and is cited as a critical resource by conservation groups and researchers alike.
Eight endemisms
1. Balearic Warbler (Sylvia balearica). An endemic of the Balearic Islands, this species is restricted to Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera, Cabrera, and nearby islets. Habitat loss due to urban development and tourism pressures has contributed to its ongoing decline.
2. Canary Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis). Endemic to the Canary Islands with a distribution centered on the central and western islands. Its population is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, and the trend in overall numbers has remained relatively stable within the archipelago.
3. Turquoise Dove (Columba bollii). Native to the Canary Islands, it currently occupies La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, and Tenerife, with a natural reappearance reported in Gran Canaria and a population that appears to be growing in recent years.
4. Paloma Juniperus (Columba junionae). An endemic Canarian species with presence on La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. A recent reintroduction on Gran Canaria has shown positive signs, though nesting on El Hierro remains uncertain due to the small size of its population.
5. Balearic Petrel (Puffinus mauretanicus). A critically endangered seabird that nests on Balearic Islands’ sea cliffs and islets. About 3,000 breeding pairs are currently estimated, spread across 24 known breeding colonies.
6. Gran Canaria Blue Finch. Its distribution is tightly tied to the pine forests of Gran Canaria. Conservation programs include captive breeding and reintroductions, with an estimated adult population near 430 individuals.
7. Tenerife Blue Finch. An endangered Canary Island endemist found primarily in forested areas on Tenerife, often associated with pine forests. Field estimates range from about 1,013 to 4,722 individuals, averaging near 2,868 birds.
8. Canary Sparrow (Saxicola decotiae). A canary island endemic with a broad distribution across Fuerteventura, though its population remains fragile and monitored for changes that could affect its long-term viability.
These eight endemics illustrate the delicate balance of island ecosystems and the pressures that threaten species restricted to small ranges. Ongoing conservation work and careful habitat management are essential to ensuring these unique birds endure for future generations.
Additional context: the Atlas of Birds in the Breeding Season in Spain is available throughSEO/BirdLife and includes extensive data and analyses that support ongoing conservation work. The atlas functions as a practical guide for understanding how climate and human activity shape bird life in Spain and across its islands, offering a foundation for research, policy, and community engagement.
Note: The Atlas of Birds in the Breeding Season in Spain presents a rigorous, science-based portrait of the country’s avifauna and the threats it faces. Its findings reinforce the importance of conserving key habitats, monitoring species closely, and coordinating with local communities to protect biodiversity across Spain and its archipelagos.