Ornithological importance of the Island of Alegranza (Canary Island)

Abstract

The uninhabited island of Alegranza harbours one of the mopst important bird populations of the Canarian Archipelago. At least 21 species are known to breed, 6 of them being seabirds, of which Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedaa) is the most numerous, with about 10.000 breeding pairs. The population of British Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) is perhaps the biggest of the Canary Islands, with several hundrtad pairs. Of the 6 species of breeding birds of prey, the Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides) is the most interesting, with one nesting pair out of the seven known to breed in the European Community. Rhe island also contains 2 pairs of Osprey and about 25 pairs of Eleonora's Falcon. In addition, Alegranza is a very important resting place for many migratory species of passerines.