Common Birds of Spain

One of the world's rarest eagles with fewer than 500 adults — Doñana and Monfrague are the most reliable sites; the white shoulder patches and dark body make adults unmistakable.

Spain holds over half the global population — April leks at Extremadura with 100+ displaying males are one of Europe's most spectacular wildlife events.

An Iberian endemic found in Spain and Portugal only — powder-blue wings and tail flash through cork oak savannah as noisy family parties move through the canopy.

One of Europe's most mysterious and sought-after birds — sings at dusk and dawn from Spanish steppe, but nocturnal habits make it agonizingly difficult to see despite its loud song.

Spain holds 80%+ of the global Red Kite population — Trujillo's rubbish tip in Extremadura hosts hundreds of kites alongside Black Kites in winter.

Has expanded dramatically in Spain over the past 30 years — pairs of this owlet-like, blood-red-eyed kite are now routine on Extremadura roadsides, hunting on hovering wings.

Breeds on bare gravel and soil near wetlands in Extremadura — swallow-like flight as flocks hawk insects over Spanish lagoons is one of the region's most distinctive sights.

Colonizes sandy banks throughout Spain in colonies of hundreds of pairs — the rainbow-plumaged flocks intercepting bees above Extremadura's summer fields are a magnificent sight.