^{Photos Pedro Monteiro}

Scientific Name Pyrrhula murina

Description This bird breeds in the Laurel Forest from June to the end of August. In the summer, it feeds mainly in open areas and in winter it can be found in the native high altitude forest. Generally, it feeds on seeds, flower buds and ferns. Medium-sized, plump, short-winged, long-tailed, dull coloured finch. Black cap and facial area, tail and wings. Grey lesser covert and greater covert wing-bar. Brown back. Grey nape and uppertail-coverts. Pinkish-brown underparts. Both sexes are identical. There are about 500 to 800 couples.

Taxonomic Status Azorean endemic

Phenological Status Resident

Conservation Status The Priolo is a protected species according to the European Directive on Birds and it is included in various lists of threatened animals, both at national level (Red Book of Vertebrates in Portugal) and at international level (IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals). For this reason the Special Protected Area, (SPA) of Pico da Vara / Ribeira do Guilherme, (a Natura 2000 site), was created, which includes all of the distribution area of this species, with the main purpose of its protection and conservation. 

A BirdLife International considerou, em tempos, o Priolo como uma espécie globalmente ameaçada de extinção embora atualmente e resultado do esforço despendido na sua conservação, está considerado Em Perigo.

The history of "Priolo"
The “Priolo” is a species of bird endemic to the island of São Miguel. More specifically, its distribution is limited to the mountainous area in the east of the island in the municipalities of Nordeste and Povoação - the SPA Pico da Vara/Ribeira do Guilherme. The current population is estimated to be around 500-800 pairs and is restricted to the remaining fragments of the native vegetation of the Azores.

During the 19th century, this bird was considered a pest of orange trees as it ate the flowers of what was then an economically important product. Having almost reached extinction, it became a protected species, and is now classified as Endangered by BirdLife International and in the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal. Generally, it feeds on seeds, flower buds and ferns.

Currently, the greatest threat to the conservation of “Priolo” is the degradation of its habitat by the advance of several exotic invasive species. Consequently, several projects were carried out and others are being developed to restore the Laurel Forest, thus ensuring the conservation of this species.


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