Fauna

 Gran Canaria Giant Lizard (Gallotia stehlini)

This reptile is endemic in Gran Canaria. The Gran Canaria Giant lizard is vegetarian, but young lizards are omnivorous. They help to disperse seeds of different plants. They are very common all over the Nature Reserve, and it is easy to see them or their tracks on the sand. Length: 75cms.

 Pipit the Berthelot (Anthus berthelotii)

This little bird is endemic in the Canary Islands, Wild Islands and Madeira and lives on insects. It is very easy to spot them in open spaces. They prefer walking to flying. Length: 15cms.

 Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis)

This bird, in spite of being small, catches insects, little lizards and mice, and can also imitate the call of different birds to attract and catch them. It uses vegetation with spikes, such as the prickly pear, as a larder for its prey. This bird uses the spikes to skewer the prey and this helps to tear them apart. Length: 25cms.

 Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

This species is easy to identify due to its black and white plumage on its head. The hoopoe lives on invertebrates, which they catch by sticking their long beaks in the sandy area near bushes´roots. The nests which contain chicks have an unpleasant smell due to the faeces which are used as a defence mechanism. Length: 28cms.

 Little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius)

This is an endangered species. The nests are close to La Charca on the ground and between the pebbles where their eggs can be camouflaged. It catches small invertebrates on the muddy shores by using a special technique which consists of stopping to find its prey and then rapidly chasing it. Length 15cms.

 Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

This bird has black legs. They live on little invertebrate which live in muddy shores. They nest on the ground and when an intruder is close the adults start to drag themselves along the ground pretending to be wounded. As soon as they are born they leave the nest, but their parents take care of them for a while even though they can feed themselves. They are an endangered species because their habitat has been destroyed. Length: 16cms.

 Little Heron (Egretta garzetta)

They have white plumage; easy to identify because they have black legs and yellow feet. They are usually alone, and you could well see them trying to catch a fish, crustacean, insect, frog and even a little lizard. They hunt by lying in wait for their prey, they do not move at all, and then they attack by sticking their sharp beak in their prey. Length: 56cms.

 Sanderling (Calidris alba)

This is a migratory bird. They are frequently seen very easily on the coast, sometimes in large groups. Usually at low tide they feed in the sandbank and at high tide they feed on the beach. During the winter they are very common on the shores of La Charca. Length: 20 cms.

 Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

This is a common migratory bird; most common on the coast. They are usually alone or in small groups throughout the year. It is known for its characteristically large, curved beak which allows them to catch invertebrates which they find between tides. Length: 41 cms.

 Argentinian Parrot (Myopsita monachus)

This bird was introduced to the islands and breeds in palm trees. Their sound is characteristic, and can be heard practically throughout the whole day. The large number of escapees and birds freed in Maspalomas has allowed this species to establish itself and live freely in this area. They have a negative effect on endemic species due to increasing competition for nesting space and food. Length: 30 cms.

 Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

This striking bird is easy to identify due to its large pink legs and thin beak. They are very common and lately they have begun to breed in Gran Canaria. Their habitat is wet grounds where they find invertebrates on the shores and in shallow waters. Length: 38 cms.

 Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen live in aquatic habitats, preferably with vegetation along its shores and it is here where they nest. There are plenty of them all over the Nature Reserve. Length: 33 cms.

 Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

This is the most common bird in this kind of habitat in the Canary Islands. They have characteristic orange legs. They can often be seen in winter (and in the migratory period from September to November). They look for their food around the stones. Length: 23 cms.

 Collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

This species originated in Asia, but can be found all over Europe and Canary Islands since 1930. Its call is very characteristic and differs from that of the turtle-dove. They usually live in cities, where they often present health problems. Length: 32 cms.