During your holiday to La Gomera, you may wish to walk through the Garajonay National Park or take a day trip to Tenerife to walk through the pine forests alongside Mount Teide. As you hike the trails, you'll stumble across a wide variety of bird species.
Here are the types of birds to look out for when adventuring on foot in the Canary Islands.
When on a day trip to Tenerife to see a variety of birds, the best place to visit is the slopes of Mount Teide.
In the pine trees, you'll discover blue chaffinches, the natural symbol of the island that's only found in Tenerife. This bright blue bird is easy to spot as its colour helps it to stand out amongst the green trees.
The Tenerife goldcrest is yet another to look out for in this pine-filled, mountainous area. This small bird has a high-pitched call and showcases black stripes across its head. Although they're quick and sometimes hard to spot, their unique call helps to differentiate themselves from the rest, so keep your ears pricked.
Before booking a day trip from La Gomera, why not explore what's on this idyllic island first? Venture through Garajonay National Park and explore its lush, green forests and iconic rock formations.
A charming bird to look out for is the Canary chiffchaff. During breeding season, between January and June, you'll see these in pairs. From July onwards they travel in small flocks, creating a pleasant, orchestrated song that makes them a little easier to spot.
Also, listen out for the songful laurel pigeons soaring through the high canopy. Grab your binoculars to get a closer look at their white-coloured tail feathers and graceful movements.
Around the Jandia National Park are vast desert plains where you'll discover many species of bird, some endemic to the stunning island of Fuerteventura.
You're most likely to see black-bellied sandgrouse. This medium-sized bird often resembles a pigeon due to its small head, however, it shows off gorgeous yellow-orange wings. They like dry, open plains so they'll be easy to see during a hike in the national park.
Another species you'll find here is the Barbary partridge, part of the pheasant family. It's native to the Canary Islands, Gibraltar and North Africa and enjoys dry, open and sometimes hilly terrain.
The last stop along your birdwatching trip should be on the glorious island of Gran Canaria, at the resort town of Maspalomas, in the south.
A unique bird to look out for when hiking through its coastal dunes is the hoopoe. This exotic looking species has black and white striped wings and a fan-like crest resembling a crown that opens up when alarmed.
The final type of bird you should try to see during your tour is the whimbrel. It has stayed loyal to Gran Canaria and enjoys hunting for insects in the sand dunes close by, so make sure you've got your camera at the ready.
If, after reading this blog post, you'd like to book a stay at the Hotel Jardin Tecina, call us or contact us via our website.