Biodiversity

Santa Maria is home to numerous species of fauna and flora endemic to the Azores, including species unique to the island. Among the world’s unique living creatures are three endemic arthropods — Tarphius rufonodulosus, Tarphius pomboi and Tarphius serranoi — two of which are restricted to Pico Alto. The island is also the only habitat of the Santa Maria Goldcrest (Regulus regulus sanctaemariae), the smallest bird in Europe.

Notable mammals include the Azorean Bat (Nyctalus azoreum), the only terrestrial mammal endemic to the Archipelago, and the Madeira Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus maderensis), endemic to Macaronesia.

The diversity of habitats extends from the interior to the coast and the sea, with rocky bottoms and areas of light-coloured sand unique to the Archipelago. The highlands and coastal areas are home to several endemic plants, such as Azorean Viburnum (Viburnum treleasei), Azorean Blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), Azorean Laurel (Laurus azorica) and Azorean Bellflower (Azorina vidalii), and Azorean Lotus (Lotus azoricus), Azorean Coastal Spurge (Euphorbia azorica) and Spergularia azorica, respectively. At the same time, the surrounding waters are home to important seabirds such as Cory's Shearwaters (Calonectris borealis), terns (Sterna sp.), Barolo Shearwaters (Puffinus lherminieri baroli), Storm-petrel (Hydrobates sp.) and Bulwer’s Petrel (Motacilla cinerea patriciae) — the latter with colonies in the Azores only on Ilhéu da Vila and on islets off the island of Graciosa.

In the sea, it is possible to observe both coastal fish (such as Ornate Wrasse, Atlantic Damselfish and Parrotfish) and pelagic species (Atlantic Bonito, Yellowmouth Barracuda, tuna and amberjacks). The oceans surrounding the island are also home to dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles and the impressive Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), as well as remarkable concentrations of Chilean Devil Ray (Mobula tarapacana).

Santa Maria is thus one of the richest and most unique places in the Azores for those seeking authentic nature, diversity and wildlife in its purest form.