SEO/BirdLife has returned for another year to choose the Bird of the Yearin a call that sought to put the focus on a species that requires a special attention due to its poor state of conservation or because it symbolizes the urgency of protecting the habitats that host itto demand from administrations and institutions measures for the conservation of everyone’s natural heritage. In 2026 the meadowlark (Alauda arvensis), shag (Gulosus aristotelis) and the European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), all with a notable decline in their populations due to various threats linked to their habitats. They competed to be the 38th species to achieve the “award” launched by the environmental organization in 1988.
The common lark is typical of wastelands, crops and mountain meadows from the north of the peninsula and is listed as Vulnerable according to the Red Book of Birds of Spain 2021. Its population shows, on a national scale, a decline of close to 20 percent between 2014 and 2023 and since its threats have not disappeared, it is expected that this evolution will not improve.
The common lark has brown tones and dark stripes, with a strong beak, elongated and robust body, elongated legs, wings and tail. The species combines the presence of a small crest, a pale facial mask, striated breast, white terminal edge on the wings (as in the calandria) and white external tail rectrices. Its flight is fast, with intense flapping of its wings. It has a great capacity for maneuvering in the air, with the possibility of prolonged hovering and dizzying ascents and descents. Additionally, it issues a long and continuous song, very fast, consisting of a succession of chained and repetitive trills, without pause between them.
He shag is a seabird that can be found on coastal cliffs, both on the Cantabrian-Atlantic coast and in the Mediterranean. Like the lark, it was classified as a Vulnerable species in both the Red Book of Birds of Spain 2021 because It is one of the seabirds with the greatest regression in recent years, especially the Atlantic population, which suffered a severe setback after the accident of the “Prestige“Currently, its greatest threats are accidental mortality in fishing gear, pollution, predation and the increase in recreational boat traffic.
It is reminiscent of the great cormorant, although it is distinguished from it by being smaller and slender and because it has a smaller head and beak, a more pronounced forehead and a narrower neck than the head. The throat is completely black and the yellow corner of the beak stands out against the general blackish tone. It does not present marked sexual dimorphism, although males are somewhat larger than females on average. The young can be distinguished from the adults until the following year by showing off their cream-colored bellies.
But the Bird of the Year 2026 chosen has been the European goldfinch despite being one of the most widespread common birds in the territory (especially in the south and east of the peninsula) and that it does not present serious conservation problems. It is a very gregarious bird, especially in winter, when it also receives thousands of European winterers. The goldfinch usually groups in mixed groups with other finches that roam in search of food.
Cataloged as species of Least Concern in the Red Book of Birds of Spainpresents a moderate decline in its populations, in a context of progressive transformation of traditional agricultural landscapes. Not in vain, the European goldfinch is closely linked to the agricultural worldwith the presence of margins, boundaries, fallows and spontaneous vegetation, such as thistles, which give it its scientific name and which provide it with food and shelter. Furthermore, although it is strictly regulated, illegal captures of this and other finches for keeping in captivity or consumption continue to occur.
It is precisely It is this relationship with agriculture that has led it to be chosen Bird of the Year 2026as a way to make visible the importance of conserving and recovering biodiversity in agricultural systems, as a basis for moving towards more balanced and sustainable agricultural models.
The European goldfinch is a small, colorful bird, recognizable by its red face and the yellow stripe on its wings. His varied singing makes him especially appreciated by the public. It lives in fields and gardens in Europe and nearby areas, where it feeds mainly on seeds. It is well known and appreciated for its beauty and cheerful song.
The European goldfinch is distributed throughout practically the entire Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The average population size is about 34.3 million individuals (excluding its island populations), although the trend in recent years has been downward. In Andalusia resides 38 percent of the entire national population (13, million), followed by Castile and León (12 percent and 4 million), Estremadura (10 percent and 3.5 million) and Valencian Community (9 percent and 3.2 million).
Their highest densities are recorded in the open pine forests of the southern peninsula (206 goldfinches/km2), as a general rule their most suitable habitats are less wooded and/or highly subject to human management: grasslands (196 goldfinches/km2), very diverse agricultural environments (151-191 goldfinches/km2) and peri-urban areas (143 goldfinches/km2).
It is the fourth most abundant species in Spain, behind the house sparrow (163.4 million), the black starling (52.7 million) and the greenish (35.7 million). Behind them are the common swift (32.7 million), the lark (31.4 million), the swallow (29.4 million), the wild (21.8 million), the linnet (21.3 million) and the chaffinch (19.2 million).