Of the many reasons that Iberia has such a diverse array of bird life, the combination of landscapes and climate contribute highly. There are a little over 450 individual species of birds that can be found in Iberia.

Being at the western most point of Europe and given the proximity to Africa at the southern tip, many of these birds are passing through on their migrations. A good selection of these birds remains specifically for the summer breeding season. Alternatively, another collection of birds arrive in Iberia to spend the winter season in warmer climes from the north and east. Therefore there is a regular change of the temporary birds which accompany those which we call resident.

There are birds that come only from Iberia and do not leave, such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) and the Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla teydea). Both of these have been declining in numbers and are on the endangered list to receive highest protection. There are other species such as the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) that suffered such losses across Europe that reintroduction programs in Spain are in place to ensure their continuation here.

The Blue Chaffinch is endemic to the Canary Islands. The already low numbers of this bird have been put at greater risk due to the fires destroying large parts of forest where they live and feed during the summer of 2007.