SPEA - Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds

The Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA – Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves) is an Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation that works for the conservation of birds and their habitats in Portugal, promoting a form of development that safeguards our natural heritage for future generations.

SPEA is the Portuguese partner of BirdLife International, an international organisation that works in more than 100 countries, and is represented in mainland Portugal and on the archipelagos of Azores and Madeira. As a not-for-profit association, SPEA depends on its members and supporters to complete its work and proceed with its mission.

SPEA is responsible for the designation and monitoring of Important Bird Areas in Portugal, and for developing conservation projects aimed at some of the most threatened birds in Europe and their habitats, such as the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax, the Azores Bullfinch Phyrrula murina and Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae. Among the almost 2000 members of SPEA is almost the entire Portuguese scientific ornithology community.

Besides scientific research and conservation projects, SPEA also does environmental education work. In addition, SPEA organises a vast programme of activities, with field trips, courses on ornithology and birds, volunteer activities, talks, events, and publishes scientific and popular magazines and books.
 
As a privileged means of communication with the members, SPEA publishes the quarterly magazine Pardela and the digital newsletter SPEA On-Line. This newsletter is free, available for members and non-members, in Portuguese (weekly edition) and English (bimonthly edition), and can be subscribed to by e-mailing speaonline@gmail.com.