Literature
Petrels night and day. By Magnus Robb and illustrated by Killian Mullarney. 2008, The Sound Approach.
This is a comprehensive exploration of the petrels of Europe and North Africa. You can listen to previously unpublished digital stereo recordings of 23 species of petrels nesting on islets, islands and coasts of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You will learn how to separate them by ear, with the help of clearly annotated sonagrams. You can read the author's tales of making the recordings, and learn where to go to experience the birds.
There is a series of full-colour plates and photographs for birdwatchers and especially seawatchers. Many if the photographs were taken at the same time as the recordings. Most importantly, read how the latest research is leading to the recognition of new - European - species, some of which are exceedingly rare. Written and illustrated by enthusiasts so be warned: this book could be the start of a serious obsession.
300 pages, 20,5 x 28,8 cm, Hardback, Illustrations: 18 colour plates + numerous colour photos. Includes two CDs with 127 recordings. ISBN-13: 9789081093323
Here you'll find an interesting review by Angus Wilson for Oceanwanderers

Birds of the Atlantic Islands – Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores & Cape Verde. By Tony Clarke and illustrated by Chris Orgill and Tony Disley. 2006, Helm Field Guides.
This is the first comprehensive field guide dealing exclusively with the birds of this spetacular region. It covers all resident, migrant and vagrant species found in Macaronesia which comprises the Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores and Cape Verde. Over 450 species are illustrated with full details of all the plumage variations and for all major subspecies which are likely to be found anywhere in the area. Concise text offers descriptions of identification, status, range, habits and song. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of this region. The Atlantic Islands shelter a remarkable diversity of birds, many seriously endangered with small and vulnerable ranges.
368 pages, 23,4 x 15,6 cm, paperback. Illustrations: 56 colour plates.
ISBN 9780713660234

A birdwatchers' guide to Portugal and Madeira. Moore C.C., Elias G. & Costa H., 1997. Prion Ltd., Perry.
This book is the only one on the market today that deals with the birds on Madeira in detail, although in a less extensive way with only 10 pages (+ a species list) out of 144 pages. Nevertheless its a useful book, especially the full species list. However, if you don't have an intention to visit mainland Portugal in the next few years the price of the book is relatively high if you only are interested in Madeira. Besides this, the book is well written and easy to use and understand with a useful introductory chapter, bird sites, instructive maps and illustrated with line drawings.
144 pages, 16,8 x 24,3 cm, paperback
ISBN 1-871104-07-6

Madeira's Natural History in a Nutshell, Peter Sziemer, 2000, Barcelona.
I can highly recommend this book to everyone interested in Madeiran nature, and of course the book contains much information about all of the bird species as well as butterflies and flowers. The book is richly illustrated with colour photos. If you plan to visit Madeira this book is worth having!
288 pages, 16 x 22,3 cm, hard cover
ISBN (English edition): 972-9177-31-7
ISBN (German edition): 972-9177-30-9

Baedeker's Travel Guide, Baedeker Ostfildern, Reprinted in 2001, Italy.
A small plastic covered handy guide, which provides all necessary general information about the Madeiran archipelago. Well laid out and divided in three extensive chapters: Nature, Culture and History - Sights from A to Z - Practical information from A to Z. Also a very good map (1:75 000) is included! All general information and the small handy format make this guide to the most comprehensive book.
181 pages, 12 x 18,5 cm, soft plastic cover
ISBN (English edition): 0-7495-1733-6
The guide is also available in German language.

Naturguide till Madeira. Edberg. E, 1999. Stockholm (In Swedish language).
For the Swedish speaking audience this nice little book is great as accompanist on a combined trip to Madeira with the family. The book contain much pre-tour information, personally and well written, although the "Fauna and Flora" chapter is more general and the bird section is not suited for the dedicated birder. However, the book is worth having on a family trip with lots of general information.
80 pages, 14,7 x 21 cm, paperback
ISBN 91-86638-09-2

Maps
The newest and most up dated map is released by "AA" and contains walking routes, leisure information as well as detail maps on Funchal and Desertas. Highly recommended.
Island Series # 12, 1:50 000, ISBN 0-7495-3787-6, £4.99

Birding articles
Birding in Madeira. James Siddle, Birding World 4/2004: p. 166-175
Magiska nätter på Madeira. (= Magic nights on Madeira) Göran & Edvin Hansson, Vår Fågelvärld 1/2004: p. 16-19 (In Swedish)
Madeira, an attractive birding destination. Juha Laaksonen, Alula 4/99: p. 128-131
Havsfågelspaning på Madeira – monstertunga VP-kryss garanterade! (In Swedish),
Klaus Malling Olsen, Roadrunner 4/98: p. 48-49
Birds of the Archipelago of Madeira and the Selvagens - New Records and checklist.
Zino, F., Biscoito, M.J. & Zino, P.A., 1995. Biol. Mus. Mun. Funchal, 46 (262): 63-100.

Scientific articles (downloadable in PDF by kind permission by the authours and editors)
NEW Jesus, J., Menezes, D., Gomes, S., Oliveira, P., Nogales, M. and Brehm, A. (2009). Phylogenetic relationships of gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. from the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean: molecular evidence for specific status of Bugio and Cape Verde petrels and implications for conservation. Bird Conservation International 19:199–214.
NEW Matias, R. (2009). Removal of Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris from the Western Palearctic list, and the first record of Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata for Madeira. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 129:116-119.
NEW Zino, F., Brown, R. and Biscoito, M. (2008). The separation of Pterodroma madeira (Zino’s Petrel) from Pterodroma feae (Fea’s Petrel). Ibis 150: 326–334.
Siverio, F., Barone, R. & Delgado, G. (2008). Notes on the diet of Tyto alba (Barn Owl) in two oceanic islands from the Mid-Atlantic, Porto Santo (Madeira) and Fogo (Cap Verde). Vieraea 36: 163-165. (In English).
View or download the article (PDF 105 KB)
Oliveira, P, Menezes, D. & Ramirez, I. (2007). Petrels of the genus Pterodroma of the Madeiran Archipelago. Makaronesia, 9: 54-69. (In Spanish and with stunning photos).
View or download the article (PDF 1 MB)
Lees, A. 2005. Macaronesian endemic birds: their taxanomy, status and conservation. Alula, 1/2005: p. 12-24.
Barone, R. & García, G. (2003). The Madeiran archipelago, the central Macaronesia. El Indiferente 14: 36-41. (In Spanish and contains several colour photos).
View or download the article (PDF 334 KB)
Barone, R. & Delgado, G. (2003). Interesting data on the breeding birds of Porto Santo Island (Madeiran Archipelago). Revista de la Academia Canaria de Ciencias, 14 (3-4) [2002]: 219-225. (In Spanish, with English summary).
View or download the article (PDF 1,3 MB)
Siverio, F., Trujillo, D. & Ramos J.J. (2002): Notes on the distribution of the Madeiran Barn Owl Tyto alba schmitzi (Aves: Tytonidae). Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc., 13 (4) [2001]: 199-205.
View or download the article (PDF 692 KB)
Barone, R. & Delgado, G. (2002). Observations of migratory birds in the island of Porto Santo (Madeiran Archipelago), July and December 2000. Revista de la Academia Canaria de Ciencias, 13 (4) [2001]: 79-86. (In Spanish, with English summary).
View or download the article (PDF 1,3 MB)
Barone, R. & Delgado, G. (2001). Additions to the breeding avifauna of Porto Santo Island (Madeiran Archipelago). Vieraea 29: 103-109. (In Spanish, with English summary).
View or download the article (PDF 378 KB)

Identification books (useful for the Madeiran conditions)
Collins Bird Guide. Mullarney, K., Svensson, L., Zetterström, D. & Grant, P.J., 1999. Harper Collins, London. (Available in several languages)
Flight Identification of European Seabirds. Blomdahl, A., Breife, B. & Holmström, N., 2003. Helm, London. (Also available in Swedish language)
Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. Jonsson, L., 1993. Helm, London. (Available in several languages)
Seabirds: an Identification Guide. Harrison, P., 1985. Helm, London.

Whales and Dolphins of the World. Simmonds. M., 2004. New Holland, London.
Mark Carwardine's Guide to WhaleWatching (Britain & Europe). Carwardine. M. 2003. New Holland, London.
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. Carwardine, M. & Camm, M., 1995. Dorling Kindersley, London.

Photographic Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe. Tolman, T.W., 2001. Oxford University Press, New York.

Cetáceos no Arquipélago da Madeira. Freitas, L., Dinis, A., Alves, F. & Nóbrega, F., 2004. Museu da Baleia, Madeira. (Iin Portuguese language only). ISBN 972-99413-0-0
This very useful book contains an excellent ID section, with both colour photographs and instructive colour plates. All depicted species are named in both english and scientific names. Unfortunately, this book is not for sale, not yet. However, the publisher Museu da Baleia (Whale Museum in Caniçal) plan to print an edition for sale, in both Portuguese and English language.

Recommended ID articles
Små liror – en utmaning för varje havsfågelskådare PDF 170 KB (Flight Identification of small shearwaters). Niklas Holmström, Roadrunner 1/2005: p. 30-35 (In Swedish language)
Identification of Yelkouan, Balearic and Manx Shearwaters. Ricard Gutiérrez, Birding World 3/2004: p. 111-122
A little help (Flight identification of Little Shearwater). Anthony McGeehan & Killian Mullarney, Birdwatch 39/1995: p. 38-42
The field characters of distant Great and Cory's Shearwater. Dave Bird, Birding World 7/1994: p. 279-282
Great or Cory's? Identifying large shearwaters. Anthony McGeehan & Ricard Gutiérrez, Birdwatch 73/1998: p. 32-36
Gulnäbbad och större lira. Anders Blomdahl, Bertil Breife & Niklas Holmström, Roadrunner 1/2003: p. 16-17 (In Swedish language)
Field separation of Fea's, Zino's and Soft-plumaged Petrels. Steve Gantlett, Birding World 7/1995: p. 256-260
Three of a kind (Identification of Cory's, Scopoli's and Cap Verde Shearwater). Steve Madge, Birdwatch 133/2003: p. 22-25
Flight identification of Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwaters. Ricard Gutiérrez, Dutch Birding 5/1998: p. 216-225

Video guides
Birds of the Macaronesian Islands. Part 1: the Canary Islands and Madeira (2 hrs 24 minutes, VHS-format). Boon, L., 2002. Cursorius, Haarlem.
   If you are visiting Madeira, this video is among the best pre-tour investment you can make! There is also a second Video by Leo Boon, which cover Azores and the Cape Verde Islands.
You'll find further information on: www.cursorius.com

Birding related web sites
Birds of the Macaronesian Islands – Very nice images (video stills) on Madeiran bird specialties! Also with links further to other Macaronesian birds, such as Canaries and Azores. (see the heading "Video guides" above). The stills are extracted from Leo Boon's excellent video recordings.

Other useful web sites
SPEA (Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds) – Here you will further information and addresses to SPEA-Madeira and the Portuguese Rarities Committee.
Parque Natural da Madeira – With further links to the web pages on Desertas, Salvages, Garajau, which all are nature reserves. (In Portuguese language).
Biscay Dolphin Research Programme – A very good site about seabirds, whales and dolphins of the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. Lot of information, photos and identification.
Whales and Dolphins (Organisation Cetacea) – Identification, photo gallery and much more of the beloved cetaceans you'll find on this web site.
DragonflyPix – Identifying Dragonflies is far from easy, but if you have photographed a dragonfly and are unsure of what species it is, you can get help and ID support from the crew behind the excellent website DragonflyPix, which is worth a visit for all the great photos of dragonflies.

You will find more specific links, close to the information which are dealt with at each section on this web site!

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