Portugal Archives | Animals, Wildlife & Nature of Portugal

Browse our archive of blogs about the animals and wildlife of Portugal. Discover native species, ecosystems, and conservation projects protecting the country’s wild spaces.

a merlin kestrel sitting in top of a tree

Canada, Denmark, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA

Merlins: 12 Facts About the Tiny, Fierce Falcon That Will Surprise You

Think you saw a kestrel? It might be a Merlin! These tiny, fierce falcons are basically "urban goths" of the bird world. Here are 12 facts about the sky’s best.

Cesar Medina Davila
May 11, 2026

Jewel Beetle on a flower with its wings extended

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Insects, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

15 Types of Beetle You Must See

Ever wondered why beetles look like tiny aliens? From iridescent armor to 300G jumps, here are 15 beetles that prove they’re the coolest (and weirdest) animals on Earth.

Cesar Medina Davila
April 6, 2026

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, California, Chile, China, Colombia, Insects, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela

The Sky’s Apex Predator: 10 Weird Facts About Dragonflies

Dragonflies are weird, ancient, and honestly a little terrifying, and they've been quietly running the show over every pond and meadow for 300 million years. Next time you spot one hovering over the water, take a second to appreciate what you're actually looking at.

Cesar Medina Davila
March 11, 2026

kelp forest underwater photo with fish swimming among the kelp

Argentina, Australia, California, Canada, Chile, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Ocean, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, USA

The Complete Guide to Kelp Forests: The Ocean’s Most Vital Ecosystem

Think of a kelp forest as the ocean's version of a tropical rainforest—a towering, golden-hued cathedral of life hidden just beneath the waves. While most of us overlook these underwater forests, they are actually one of the planet's most productive ecosystems.

Cesar Medina Davila
March 9, 2026

Australia, Birds, China, Denmark, Europe, Finland, Florida, France, Germany, Greenland, Interesting Facts, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden

Raven Facts: 12 Things You Must Know About Nature’s Greatest Goth

Most people know ravens through Poe or horror films — but a biologist's up-close encounter in Melbourne reveals something far more unsettling: these birds aren't just intelligent, they're evaluating you. Here's what science actually says about the world's most misunderstood bird.

Cesar Medina Davila
March 3, 2026

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Belize, Birds, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, California, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, DRC, Ecuador, Europe, Florida, France, Ghana, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, Reptiles, Russia, SaudiArabia, Sharks, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, tibet, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

15 Incredible Kinds of Hawks: A Simple Field Biologist’s Guide

Ever pointed at a big bird on a fence post and yelled "Hawk!" only to have a birder gently tell you it’s just a vulture? Don't sweat it; even the pros have been there. Let’s cut through the confusion and break down 15 incredible kinds of hawks that actually earn the title.

Cesar Medina Davila
March 3, 2026

an African Fish Eagle fishing over water

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Birds, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, California, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, DRC, Ecuador, Egypt, Endangered, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, Florida, France, Gabon, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal

15 Kinds of Eagles You Need to Know

Ever pointed at a big bird and yelled 'Eagle!' only to realize it's just a hawk? Don't worry, we've all been there. Let's cut through the confusion and break down 15 incredible species that actually earn the title

Cesar Medina Davila
February 25, 2026

Birds, Denmark, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Interesting Facts, Ireland, Italy, Mongolia, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Goldcrest: 12 Fascinating Facts About Britain’s Smallest Bird

Ever wondered how a bird the weight of a 20p piece survives a brutal winter? I spent weeks in the freezing Swedish woods tracking these tiny "ghosts." Here’s the lowdown on the Goldcrest—Britain’s smallest bird—and why it’s way tougher than it looks.

Cesar Medina Davila
February 17, 2026

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Birds, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, California, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, DRC, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, Florida, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greenland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, SaudiArabia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, tibet, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

Types of Birds Explained: A Complete Guide to Bird Groups

We tend to call everything “a bird,” but they’re not all built the same. This quick guide explores the main bird groups, from eagles and owls to parrots, songbirds, and seabirds, and how to tell them apart.

Cesar Medina Davila
February 9, 2026

Close up of three zebras looking at the camera

Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, California, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Iran, Italy, Mammals, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela

10 Fascinating Facts About Donkeys That Will Surprise You

Think donkeys are just small horses with a bad attitude? Nope. These ancient, intelligent animals have remarkable memories, strong social bonds, and survival skills shaped by some of the harshest landscapes on Earth.

Cesar Medina Davila
January 30, 2026

Africa, Asia, Birds, Botswana, Europe, France, India, Interesting Facts, Italy, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, United Kingdom

12 Incredible Grey Heron Facts: The Ultimate Wetland Sentinel

Ever wondered what that "prehistoric" bird at the pond is actually up to? I’m diving into 12 surprising grey heron facts, from their weird cleaning habits to their high-rise nurseries.

Cesar Medina Davila
January 14, 2026

Canada, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Interesting Facts, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden

13 Fascinating Pine Marten Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Meet this cute forest resident. The pine marten is an elusive forest mammal with silky fur, sharp climbing skills, and an important role in maintaining healthy woodland ecosystems.

Cesar Medina Davila
December 22, 2025

Africa, Birds, Egypt, Europe, France, Interesting Facts, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom

10 Fascinating Facts About the Turtle Dove You Need to Know

Turtle doves are migratory seed-eating birds found across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Learn 12 fascinating facts about their species, diet, habitats, and why their populations are rapidly declining.

Cesar Medina Davila
October 15, 2025

Arachnids, California, Europe, Finland, France, Interesting Facts, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, USA

Hobo Spiders: 12 Creepy but Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know

They’ve been called aggressive, venomous, and even dangerous—but how much of that is actually true? The hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis) has long been misunderstood. Native to Europe and now common in the Pacific Northwest, this fast-moving funnel-weaver is more fascinating than fearsome.