The fires that have until now devastated an area the size of Luxembourg across Portugal are threatening several bird species and the habitats that they depend on. Wild birds are being affected either directly, through being burnt or asphyxiated, or indirectly through loss of habitat, and prey, such as rabbits for eagles.

The lack of intervention by MCOTA over the last few days is, at least, shameful
SPEA BirdLife Internationals Portuguese Partner and RSPB sister organisation says that the continued survival in Portugal of certain bird species is now under threat and that 10 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been affected by the forest fires of the last weeks.
Several species of bird could be lost altogether from Portugal, including the Spanish imperial eagle classified as Vulnerable Egyptian and griffon vultures, the black stork and the Bonellis eagle, all birds that are protected by the European Union Birds Directive.
To date, nearly 300,000 hectares of forest have been lost a highly significant amount in a small country like Portugal with cork and oak forests particularly adversely affected. The south-west coast of Portugal IBA beside the Algarve tourist mecca is one of the areas on fire.
SPEA (the RSPBs sister organisation in Portugal) criticises the Portuguese ministry of the environment (MCOTA) for its slow response, and the ministry of agriculture (MADRP) for its forestry policies, which have favoured the planting species that are unsuited to the climate and soil of most of the country.
The lack of intervention by MCOTA over the last few days is, at least, shameful, states Helder Costa, President of SPEA. The Government has to assume its responsibilities in conserving nature. Independently of private financial gain, it should target IBAs, those areas under the National Network of Protected Areas and those protected by the [EU] Natura 2000 network which have all been burnt with an appropriate special reforestation programme. The Government should also favour a patchwork of natural habitats on a grand scale.
SPEA believes that the Portugese government must learn from past mistakes including intensive forestry leading to increasing desertification and the fact that 90% of Portuguese forest is in private hands to better plan forestry in Portugal.
SPEA also firmly believes that the intensive forestry of non-suitable tree species by private companies and the lack of a sustained forest management policy by all recent governments should not compromise the future of rural areas and their wildlife. SPEA also maintains that forests in protected areas should be managed by competent administrative bodies, together with landowners, with sufficient funds to keep them out of danger.