The number of known black vulture colonies in Portugal increased from four to five, thanks to the discovery of a new group of this species of birds on a farm located in the municipality of Vidigueira, the ICNF announced today.
In a statement, the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) revealed that it had identified this new colony of black vultures (Aegypius monachus), made up of 10 adult individuals, at Herdade do Monte da Ribeira, in that Alentejo municipality.
“It is estimated that this colony consists of four or five breeding pairs, although only four nests were observed,” said the same organization.
The new black vulture colony nesting in Alentejo was found as part of monitoring actions carried out by the ICNF, according to the statement.
“The colony was identified in the middle of the breeding season, an especially sensitive period for this species, with proven reproduction in at least one of the nests, in which it was possible to observe a juvenile individual already fledged”, highlighted the ICNF.
The breeding season for this species occurs between February and August and each pair produces one egg per year.
The Regional Directorate for Nature Conservation and Forests of Alentejo has already “initiated the necessary procedures to monitor and safeguard this colony, in collaboration with the owners of Herdade do Monte da Ribeira”.
The black vulture is a scavenger bird and has “Critically Endangered” status in Portugal, and is also considered to be of community interest and a priority in the context of the Birds Directive.
“After more than half a century of demographic decline and absence as a nesting species in the country, the black vulture reestablished its breeding status in Portugal in 2010, with several small colonies”, recalled the ICNF.
In Portuguese territory, most of the known colonies of this species, which is “the largest bird of prey in Europe”, reaching a wingspan of three meters, are located in protected areas, such as the Tagus International Natural Park, the Serra da Malcata and the Douro International Natural Park.
“More recently, in 2019, a new colony appeared” located at Herdade da Contenda, in Moura (Beja), which “currently has 11 couples”, explained the ICNF.
Now, with this new colony in Alentejo, he highlighted, “the number of known black vulture colonies in the country increases to five”.
In the statement, the ICNF indicated that it has been supporting the conservation of the national black vulture population in Portugal.
“From 2022 to 2027, the project 'Aegypius returns – Consolidation and expansion of the black vulture population in Portugal and western Spain', which has the collaboration of ICNF, has co-financing from the European financial instrument LIFE, with a view to improving and accelerating the ongoing natural recolonization of the species” , you can read.
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