“In Monfragüe, black vultures”… A Spanish rock group already said it long before it was declared a National Park in 2007 and fans of the ecotourism activities They invaded everything with their binoculars.

Even before its declaration as a SPA (Special Protection Area for Birds) in 1991, it was already known that this territory of Mediterranean forest, located in the province of Cáceres, was one of the best places in the world to dedicate to bird breeding. bird watchingvultures especially.

The Romans called it Mons Fragorum, which meant “dense mountain.” A description that comes to mind, since these mountains crossed by the Tiétar and Tajo rivers are full of forest, scrub, rocky outcrops and holm oak forests. Such vegetation, together with the reservoirs and streams it contains, form a territory where a large number of species of flora and fauna live.

He Monfragüe National Park It receives more than 300,000 visitors every year, who come to make birding experiences in Extremadura. The “most wanted” species are the black vulture, the Egyptian vulture or the golden eagle. But there are other birds of equal importance, especially birds of prey, that can be observed from the park's viewpoints and trails.

If you also want to dedicate yourself to this booming activity, take note of the winged species that are trending in Monfragüe.

Birds of the Monfragüe National Park

Black vulture, the king of Monfragüe

It is, without a doubt, the most emblematic bird of the National Park; with more than 300 couples registered and estimates that reach 400. Everyone who is dedicated to bird watching in Monfragüe He wants to see.

It also takes the medal in terms of size. The black vulture has a wingspan of 2 and a half meters (some even speak of specimens measuring 3 metres), and can weigh 12 kilos, making it the largest flying bird in Europe.

This bird is very good at living in pairs. They are monogamous and live in nests that they build in the tops of trees or in rocks. Each year, they return to the same nest to breed; laying a single egg that they incubate between the two, for 55 days.

Monfragüe is the largest breeding colony known. You can see them in small groups or even alone; flying over the area in search of carrion from animals of all kinds.

Black stork, the elusive lady

If there is a second animal that can be said to be symbolic of Monfragüe, it is the black stork.

In Extremadura is the 75% of all the breeding pairs in Spain (about 300). Of that part, 30 couples are in this National Park. Although you will only see them during spring and summer; Well, towards the end of this, they migrate to Africa to spend the winter.

The black stork is smaller than its white counterpart. Also more elusive and less common. It usually flees from man, so it nests at high altitudes in the tops of trees or in rocks. Additionally, you may see them next to rivers or ponds where they feed.

Griffon vulture, the bad guy of the park

Around half a thousand pairs of griffon vultures breed in Monfragüe. The cousin skinhead The black vulture shares space and customs with it. It nests on the rocky cliffs of the park, forming large colonies, and lays only one egg a year.

You can see this enormous scavenging raptor gliding using air currents. You will differentiate it from the previous one (in addition to its lighter color, obviously) by the head and neck free of feathers; which facilitates its feeding on the carrion of large animals, since it can completely insert its head into them.

Iberian imperial eagle, the empress of the air

The imperial eagle, endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, has a world population of just 200 individuals. A few decades ago it was on the verge of being declared extinct, although luckily it seems to be recovering its populations little by little. In Monfragüe we found only 12 couples.

This raptor lives in Mediterranean mountain and scrub areas, feeding mainly on rabbits; although it can capture other species of mammals, reptiles and birds.

You will recognize it in flight by its dark brown color; although you can also see it nesting in the tops of large trees.

Egyptian vulture, the cunning rogue

In the Monfragüe National Park you can see about 30 pairs of Egyptian vultures nesting in the rocks during spring and summer.

It is the smallest of the vulture family. It weighs just a couple of kilos and its wingspan hardly exceeds one and a half meters. Perhaps that is why he is the last to go to the carrion; Well, it has to wait for its larger relatives (black vulture and griffon vulture) to finish feeding to rescue the pieces of skin and meat that remain attached to the bone.

This being the case, it is not surprising that the Egyptian vulture has developed other methods to obtain food. a curious innate behavior of this species He demonstrates his skill: he uses stones to break the eggs of other birds and thus access their interior.

Common kite, the blue lightning

The common or blue kite began to colonize the peninsula from Africa in the mid-20th century. Today, it is in full expansion and it is estimated that there are about 700 couples in Spain, most of them in Extremadura.

This little raptor is easily recognizable. Similar in size to a dove, it has white and bluish-gray plumage on the wings, and red eyes that contrast with the rest of the body.  

You can see it during spring and summer in open fields, nesting in the treetops and skillfully hunting small rodents.

Other birds of prey from Monfragüe

The catalog of species that can be observed in a birding activity in Monfragüe It is completed with many other birds of prey.

Among the eagle family, the golden eagle (which has 6 or 7 breeding pairs in the park), the Bonelli's eagle, the booted eagle and the short-toed eagle stand out.

You can also see peregrine falcons (3 or 4 pairs), kites, hawks and many types of nocturnal birds of prey, such as tawny owls, owls, owlets and eagle owls.

Now that you know what species to look for, you'll want to know where to find them.

To begin your visit you can establish base camp in Villarreal de San Carlos, the only town within the National Park, where you will find the Visitor Reception Center. Furthermore, every year the International Ornithological Tourism Fair (FIO), where thousands of bird watching fans and professionals gather.

He Monfragüe National Park It makes it very easy for all of them, as it has a good network of viewpoints from which many of these birds can be seen in quantity.

Next, he told you which ones are the most important and how to get to them.

Viewpoints of the MonfragüE National Park

The Serrana

It is the first viewpoint that we find in Monfragüe if we access it via the EX-208 highway from Plasencia. If you leave from Villarreal de San Carlos, you will have to take that same road towards Plasencia.

It is located to the north of the park, in the Sierra de la Serrana, and from there it is possible to observe many birds of prey flying over the surrounding cliffs. The most visible are the griffon vultures and the Egyptian vulture.

Gypsy's Leap

Also known as Peña Falcón, this is undoubtedly the most important point of the National Park; the one that every good ornithologist wants to look at.

It is at the entrance to the park from Trujillo, also on the EX-208 highway. To get there from Villarreal, you just have to follow that same road to the south. It can also be accessed on foot, following one of the official park itineraries, the Red Route, just 5 kilometers long.

You will find a small parking lot on one side of the road, but it has very few spaces. Therefore, it is not highly recommended to visit this area on weekends or holidays, as there are usually quite a few people.

The viewpoint is located on an imposing cliff over the Tagus River that exceeds 300 meters high. It is occupied, above all, by griffon vultures; being the place in the park where the most specimens of this species can be seen.

In addition, you can also see black vultures, black storks, Egyptian vultures, falcons, imperial eagles and eagle owls. All of them nesting on the cliffs or nearby trees.

One of the greatest spectacles occurs when a specimen in full flight closely surpasses the heads of the tourists secured there, binoculars in hand, eliciting exclamations of admiration and surprise.

Monfragüe Castle

In high season the castle can only be reached on foot. You must continue along the Red Route, going up a beautiful path between rockroses, heather and cork oaks. This is what you will do if you join this hiking activity in the Monfragüe National Park.

The rest of the year, you can reach almost the castle itself by car; following the EX-208 road until you pass Salto del Gitano, and then turning off onto a narrow track to the left (not accessible for caravans or large vehicles). At the end, you will find a small parking lot for no more than two or three cars. The last meters, no matter what, you have to walk up.

Only the tower of the castle, of Arab origin, about which a sad legend is told, remains. They say that the young princess Noeima fell in love with a Christian warrior; and she was sentenced to wander the surrounding mountains for leaking information to enter the castle.

We cannot guarantee whether or not you will encounter the princess's ghost. What is easy is for you to see birds, especially vultures, from the viewpoint located at the top. In addition to obtaining one of the best panoramic views of the Monfragüe National Park.

The Tajadilla

The Tajadilla viewpoint is located next to the Torrejón dam, on the Tiétar river. To get there by car you must take the detour that appears on the right of the EX-208 road, going from Villarreal de San Carlos to Plasencia (on the left if you go in the opposite direction).

To go on foot, you can take a small hiking route of about 4 kilometers from Villarreal, the Yellow Route. You will pass in front of some typical huts, before following the path parallel to the Tiétar riverbed. After leaving behind the well-known Alisar and Tres Caños fountains, you will reach the viewpoint.

In the rocks opposite you will be able to see many griffon vultures and Egyptian vultures. Less common, but also possible, are the Bonelli's eagle and the black stork.

At the Tajadilla viewpoint, there is also a picnic area that can come in handy to regain strength on your excursion through Monfragüe.

The scale

Following the same road that took us to Tajadilla we reach the Báscula viewpoint, once we have passed the dam bridge.

From it you can easily see black vultures and, with some luck, the imperial eagle; which finds many of its prey in the thickets of the Mediterranean forest that can be seen in front of the viewpoint.

In addition, this area is also one of the best places to enjoy a day of observation of the deer rut in Monfragüe. As in La Tajadilla, you will find a small rest area with picnic areas.

The Higuerilla

The next viewpoint on the road after the Báscula is the Higuerilla, which is located on a bend in the Tiétar River.

Thanks to its position, this is the best viewpoint in Monfragüe to see waterfowl. Depending on the month you come, you can see gray herons or cormorants, among other things. Also the otter, resting on its banks.

But the best are again the chances of spotting the black vulture, the Iberian imperial eagle, the black stork or the Egyptian vulture. And, of course, unbeatable views over the Tiétar River.

Portilla del Tiétar

It is the last viewpoint on the road that crosses Monfragüe, located almost at the northeast exit of the National Park.

To make things easier for birdwatchers, a small hut has been installed at the viewpoint from which they can observe without disturbing the fauna. The most commonly seen species are griffon vultures. But also, with a bit of luck, you can see imperial eagles, Egyptian vultures and eagle owls.

If you go slowly and no one is waiting for you for dinner, take a moment to enjoy the sunset at this rock. The best farewell for your visit to Monfragüe.

It may seem like there is more life in spring; but autumn in Monfragüe has a special charm. The color of the forest, the battles of the deer during the rut... Vultures and deer compete during this time for the hegemony of a territory that is at once peaceful and brave, wild and beautiful.