Fauna and Flora - Visit Madeira | Madeira Islands Tourism Board official website

Fauna and Flora in Madeira

The archipelago holds in its territory an amazing biological heritage, which is revealed in the extensive diversity of Madeira's flora and fauna.

Due to the specificity of its conditions, such as the subtropical climate resulting from its privileged geographical location, this region is considered an unavoidable biodiversity centre.

Madeira's fauna is extremely rich, both as regards vertebrates and invertebrates.

This biological heritage, where the numerous endemic species of the archipelago stand out, is of great scientific interest, as well as of great importance from the conservation point of view.

In turn, Madeira's flora, in close relation to that of the Macaronesia region (made up of the archipelagos of Madeira, Azores, Canaries and Cape Verde), brings together plant communities and species that are unique in the world.

In this chapter, the leading role is undoubtedly played by the indigenous Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This forest is characterised by its green density, marked by the presence of large trees, mostly belonging to the Lauraceae family.

Nevertheless, the diversity of Madeira's flora is impressive all across the archipelago, from the marine seaside to the highest mountains.

Come and explore the charms of Madeira's flora and fauna.

Fauna

Among the limited number of bird species that can be observed in Madeira's fauna, mostly endemic, there are some that deserve special notice. This is the case of the Madeira pigeon (Columba trocaz), the firecrest (Regulus madeirenses) or the chaffinch (Fringilla coleeis madeirensis), animals that represent the Laurissilva Forest. In the Mountain Massif, Zino's petrel (Pterodroma madeira) stands out as a severely threatened species. In turn, the range of seabirds that nest on this island territory is also quite extensive. Finally, it is important to highlight the enormous diversity of terrestrial invertebrates belonging to Madeira's fauna, as well as its dazzling marine biodiversity.

Flora

Madeira's geographical location, subtropical climate and rugged orography allow for the existence of a great diversity of habitats and, consequently, of great richness. In the Laurissilva forest, an ex-libris of Madeira's flora, there are large trees, such as the Til (Ocotea foetens) or the laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), but also an abundance of shrubs, ferns, mosses, lichens and other small plants. In the Mountain Massif, vegetation is characterised by the presence of plants such as the Madeira violet (Viola paradoxa) or the Madeira grey heather (Erica madeirenses), which contribute to the essential capture of water through hidden rainfall.