SPECIES
Best LIFE Nature Projects 2009
Recovering Azores bullfinch from the brink of extinction Endemic to the island of São Miguel in the Azorean archipelago, the Azores bullfinch is one the most endangered birds in Europe. A LIFE project has succeeded in recovering native laurel forest habitat by eliminating invasive plants. The project was crucial for preventing the certain extinction of the species.
T
he Azorean island of São Miguel is
species invasions, in particular the yellow
that aimed to urgently restore the bull-
the only place in the world where you can find the Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina). Known by the locals as priolo, it lives between the Serra da Tronqueira and the Pico da Vara, in the Nordeste and Povoação municipalities on the east side of the São Miguel Island. This area covers about 6 000 ha and is a Natura 2000 site, classified a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds.
ginger lilly (Hedychium gardneranum), the Madeiran sweetpepperbush (Clethra arborea), the Australian cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum), the Chilean gunnera (Gunnera tinctoria) and the Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). As a result, the species was classified as ‘critically threatened’ by the IUCN, and is one of the most endangered bird species in Europe.
finch’s habitats and recover the species from the brink of extinction.
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The Azores bullfinch is dependent on the native island laurel forest (Laurissilva) habitat. It feeds on diverse plants and flowers throughout the year. Significantly, the species appears entirely dependent on native plants for food during certain months of the year. For example, in winter it is dependent on native plant species such as Azorean blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum) and ferns, such as tree fern (Culcita macrocarpa). Considered a plague by orange producers in the 19th Century, this bird has long since been subject to persecution: the destruction of its main habitat – Laurissilva forest - led to the near extinction of the species. As a result, the bird’s numbers fell sharply to 300 to 400 individuals, according to 1990s estimates. The loss of natural habitat was due to the conversion of the original forest into pastures and Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) plantations. In addition, the habitats were heavily disrupted by plant
Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA), a Portuguese Birdlife partner proposed a LIFE Nature project
Laurissilva forest, Azores bullfinch habitat
Eliminating invasive plants One of the main project actions was to restore and enlarge the bullfinch’s habitat, which was affected by the uncontrolled spread of several invasive plant species. In mainland Europe, habitats are normally affected by one plant species that invades a habitat by displacing native species. In the Azores, several invasive plant species are taking over the