Endemic Birds of the Azores: 13 Taxa to Know

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Meet 13 endemic or distinctive Azorean bird taxa through illustrated identification notes, habitats and conservation context.

Endemic birds of the Azores

Explore every bird species and subspecies currently treated as endemic to the Azores, with its scientific name, island reference and honest Pico context.

Full species and Azores-endemic subspecies are labelled separately; a record for the archipelago does not imply presence on Pico.

Endemic birds of the Azores

Complete 13-taxon visitor directory under the stated sources and current IOC treatment.

Older sources may list the Azores chaffinch as Fringilla coelebs moreletti; this guide follows the IOC treatment of Fringilla moreletti as a full species.

These visitor bands describe encounter likelihood, not global conservation status or a sighting guarantee. Island, season, habitat, depth, weather and luck all matter.

Common or more likely encounters in the Azores9

Full endemic species (1)

Illustration of a single Azores chaffinch (Fringilla moreletti) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores chaffinchScientific name: *Fringilla moreletti*Azorean reference: Tentilhão, tentilhão-dos-Açores
A familiar Pico bird from sea level to the high mountain; the IOC now treats it as a full species.
**Pico context:** Widespread and readily observed across Pico.
**Conservation context:** Recent taxonomic split; avoid copying a parent-species threat category without checking the current IOC/IUCN treatment.
Martin Gutewort · CC BY 4.0

Endemic subspecies (8)

Illustration of a single Azores buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores buzzardScientific name: *Buteo buteo rothschildi*Azorean reference: Milhafre; queimado
The archipelago's only resident diurnal bird of prey; 'milhafre' is the emblematic Azorean name.
**Pico context:** Frequently seen soaring over Pico's fields, woods and lava landscapes.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the parent species is assessed separately at global level.
Hobbyfotowiki · CC0 1.0

Illustration of a single Azores woodpigeon (Columba palumbus azorica) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores woodpigeonScientific name: *Columba palumbus azorica*Azorean reference: Pombo-torcaz-dos-Açores; torcaz
A native-forest pigeon closely associated with the laurel-forest landscape.
**Pico context:** Recorded across Pico, especially around wooded and semi-natural country.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the parent species is assessed separately at global level.
tommarekbrno · CC BY 4.0

Illustration of a single Azores yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis atlantis) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores yellow-legged gullScientific name: *Larus michahellis atlantis*Azorean reference: Gaivota-de-pernas-amarelas-dos-Açores; gaivota
The Atlantic gull of harbours, lava shores and offshore waters.
**Pico context:** Common around Pico's coastline and ports.
**Conservation context:** The Azorean Biodiversity Portal classifies this taxon as Azores endemic; broader taxonomic treatments should not be silently substituted.
Nodnarb Nedloh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Illustration of a single Azores grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores grey wagtailScientific name: *Motacilla cinerea patriciae*Azorean reference: Alvéola-cinzenta; lavandeira; avezinha de Nossa Senhora
A long-tailed stream and garden bird with several affectionate island names.
**Pico context:** Widespread on Pico near water, gardens and cultivated land.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the parent species is assessed separately at global level.
anasacuta · CC BY 4.0

Illustration of a single Azores blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla gularis) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores blackcapScientific name: *Sylvia atricapilla gularis*Azorean reference: Toutinegra-dos-Açores; avinagreira; toito
A melodious resident of woodland, gardens and hedges.
**Pico context:** Common across Pico wherever shrubs and trees provide cover.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; some older island sources use Sylvia atricapilla atlantis.
Julien Renoult · CC BY 4.0

Illustration of a single Western and central Azores goldcrest (Regulus regulus inermis) for the Azores species directory — English name: Western and central Azores goldcrestScientific name: *Regulus regulus inermis*Azorean reference: Estrelinha-de-poupa; estrelinha
The goldcrest form of Pico and several western and central islands.
**Pico context:** Pico's endemic goldcrest, best sought in wooded and cloud-forest habitat.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the parent species is assessed separately at global level.
Tero Linjama · CC0 1.0

Illustration of a single Azores starling (Sturnus vulgaris granti) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores starlingScientific name: *Sturnus vulgaris granti*Azorean reference: Estorninho-malhado; estorninho
The small, dark island form of the European starling.
**Pico context:** Widespread around Pico's villages, pasture and farmland.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the parent species is assessed separately at global level.
Tero Linjama · CC0 1.0

Illustration of a single Azores blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores blackbirdScientific name: *Turdus merula azorensis*Azorean reference: Melro; melro-preto; melro-negro
A familiar island songbird of gardens, vineyards and native forest.
**Pico context:** Common and readily observed across Pico.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the parent species is assessed separately at global level.
Addshore · CC BY 4.0

Rare, exceptional, localised or specialist encountersClick to view more4

Full endemic species (2)

Illustration of a single Monteiro's storm petrel (Hydrobates monteiroi) for the Azores species directory — English name: Monteiro's storm petrelScientific name: *Hydrobates monteiroi*Azorean reference: Painho-de-Monteiro
Named for Azorean biologist Luís Monteiro; it breeds nowhere outside the Azores.
**Pico context:** Possible at sea, but the confirmed breeding stronghold is centred on islets of Graciosa, with colonies also reported around Flores.
**Conservation context:** Vulnerable in the SPEA/IUCN treatment cited by SPEA.
Jonas Kraft · CC BY 4.0

Illustration of a single Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina) for the Azores species directory — English name: Azores bullfinchScientific name: *Pyrrhula murina*Azorean reference: Priôlo
A laurel-forest specialist confined to eastern São Miguel.
**Pico context:** Not a Pico bird; included so the archipelago directory remains complete.
**Conservation context:** Vulnerable; SPEA reports a stable population of roughly 1,000 individuals following long-term habitat restoration.
William Stephens · CC BY 4.0

Endemic subspecies (2)

Illustration of a single São Miguel goldcrest (Regulus regulus azoricus) for the Azores species directory — English name: São Miguel goldcrestScientific name: *Regulus regulus azoricus*Azorean reference: Estrelinha-de-poupa; estrelinha; ferfolha
The São Miguel member of the Azores goldcrest radiation.
**Pico context:** Restricted to São Miguel; Pico has Regulus regulus inermis instead.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; do not merge the three island forms into one directory card.
Codrin Bucur · CC BY 4.0

Illustration of a single Santa Maria goldcrest (Regulus regulus sanctaemariae) for the Azores species directory — English name: Santa Maria goldcrestScientific name: *Regulus regulus sanctaemariae*Azorean reference: Estrelinha-de-poupa; estrelinha
A tiny forest bird found only on Santa Maria.
**Pico context:** Restricted to Santa Maria; Pico has Regulus regulus inermis instead.
**Conservation context:** Endemic subspecies; the Azorean portal records an older regional Endangered assessment.
William Stephens · CC BY 4.0

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Sources and verification

Official and primary sources used for this article. Links checked 4 September 2026.