Graciosa is one of the least visited islands of the Azores, and perhaps the least explored by birdwatchers. The cast of resident birds is like most of the other Azorean islands, with Common Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Grey Wagtail, Blackbird, Blackcap, European Robin, Common Starling, Chaffinch and Island Canary being the main species. Some of these constitute subspecies endemic to the archipelago. The landscape is mostly constituted by pastures and agricultural fields, and birds more characteristic of forested areas like Goldcrest are scarcer here. The rocky coast along Santa Cruz da Graciosa can be a good place to look for egrets, waders and gulls. Serra Branca area is a good place to look for Snow Bunting in the Winter. Off Graciosa, Praia and Baixo islets are seabird havens. Here is where the endemic Monteiro Strom Petrel breeds, as well as Cory’s Shearwater, Litte Shearwater, Band-rumped Storm Petrel, Common and Roseate Terns. A pair of Sooty terns breeds irregularly in Praia islet. Some of the best birding sites are included in Graciosa island Natural Park. |
![]() |
Hotspots
View Graciosa in a larger map |
![]() |