NORTH MALLORCA

BIRDING IN
NORTH
MALLORCA
Hoopoe
Puig Nassi i Son Poc
MORE INFO
Visit the centre for bird
tourism at La Gola
EnjoyMallorca.com/
HOOPOE
birdwatching from the
north of Mallorca
Upupa epops
LENGTH 10.25-11ins (26-28cm)
WINGSPAN 17.5-19ins (44-48cm)
FOOD: Insects including beetles, caterpillars and grubs,
small frogs and lizards.
BREEDING: Nests in holes in trees and walls, laying 7-8
eggs in May and June.
Both the English and the scientific name of this
species are onomatopoeic, imitating the soft, but
resonant ‘poo poo poo’ call, often delivered from a
bare branch in a tree, or from a rooftop or similar
perch. For what is, on the face of it, a highly
distinctive bird, they can be surprisingly difficult
to spot on the ground, especially as they’re often
seen under trees, in dappled sunlight.
They’re fond of sunbathing (and also dust and
sand baths), so once you have first seen them,
there can be great opportunities to observe them
at length.
IN MALLORCA, LOOK FOR AT…
Hoopoes are resident breeders on the island, and
are abundant in most parts, especially scrubby
areas and parkland. In Puerto Pollensa it can be
found in the farmland at the bottom of the Boquer
Valley, and also at the side of the road next to the
Pine Walk.
WHERE ELSE CAN I SEE IT?
Most of mainland Europe, except for the highest
areas. In Britain, up to 100 birds turn up every
year, usually during spring migration, and usually
in the south, although it can be found in any
suitable habitat – this can include gardens,
especially, historically, vicars’ gardens!
BLACK VULTURE
Aegypius monachus
LENGTH 39-43ins (100-110cm)
WINGSPAN up to 9ft (2.8m)
FOOD: Carrion of all sorts – at carcasses, they can even
dominate Griffon Vultures and take the choice parts.
BREEDING: Makes a bulky nest of sticks in a tree and
(very rarely) on cliffs. A single egg is laid.
Unlike most Old World vultures, which breed in colonies, Black Vultures
do so only in looser groups, and are also less likely to be sociable away
from the nest. Although in some areas they occur alongside the Griffon
Vulture, with which they can be confused at distance, they are far less of
a bird of the mountains than the commoner species.
They are the dominant raptors throughout their range, even bullying
other large vultures and eagles at kills, and on rare occasions may even
take live prey.
IN MALLORCA, LOOK FOR AT…
Mallorca’s most important and sought-after breeding bird is only found in
the Serra de Tramuntana. Nearly extinct on the island in the early 1980s, a
conservation project was started in 1983, with the help of the regional
government of the Balearic Islands. The first breeding success was in
1986, and there are now more than 130 birds, after a record breeding year
in 2014. They nest in the north of the Tramuntana Mountains, but also
feed in places around the Boquer Valley. The best sites to look for them
are at Mortitx, the monastery at Lluc (where there’s a visitor centre for the
Tramuntana), the Cuber Reservoir, and Castell Del Rei, on the Ternelles
estate, near Pollença.
WHERE ELSE CAN I SEE IT?
Small numbers in the Balkans and Asia
Minor, and also found in the
Extremadura region of mainland
Spain, but otherwise you would be
best to travel to central Asia.
ID POINTERS
Always appears dark – even the wings show only
very subtle contrasts
Largest of its family in Europe, although some
overlap with larger individual Griffon Vultures
Found mainly in hilly, wooded or partiallywooded
areas
Soars in wide circles on flat wings
(Griffon Vultures soar on raised wings)
Perches more horizontally and less upright than
Griffon Vultures
Almost silent, but display flights include pairs
tumbling with feet interlocked
Black Vulture
Boquer
WILDLIFE GmbH / Alamy
MORE INFO
Learn more at
enjoymallorca.com/
theserrade
tramuntanamountains
ID POINTERS
Mistle Thrush sized, with a large crest
Orange-red head and breast and black-and-white wings unlike any other species
Crest raised when excited, in flight (on occasion), and immediately after bird lands
Flight is erratic, bounding, and almost butterfly-like
Bill long, slightly downcurved
Spends a lot of time on ground, shuffling along after prey
DID YOU
KNOW…
Hoopoes have particularly
strong head muscles, which
allow them to open their bill
while they’re probing into the earth
– this adaptation is particularly
valuable given they live in
fairly dry areas
DID YOU
KNOW…
Black Vultures are also known
as Monk Vultures (a reference
to their bald head and ruff of
neck feathers), or Cinereous
Vultures, often to avoid confusion
with the North American
Black Vulture
PAUL STERRY/Nature Photographers
8 Birding in North Mallorca
birdwatching.co.uk 9