La Serena: The Paradise of Birds in Extremadura
If you are passionate about nature, La Serena will steal your heart. In the northeast of Badajoz, next to Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia, lies one of the most important ornithological treasures in Europe. At its heart is the municipality of Cabeza del Buey, with over 475 km² of landscapes full of surprises at every step.
Here, the diversity of habitats is unique: endless steppes, scrub-covered sierras, dehesas, wetlands, and even the town itself form a natural mosaic where hundreds of bird species thrive. It’s no coincidence that almost the entire municipality is protected under the ZEPA “La Serena y Sierras Periféricas.”
Thanks to its strategic location, Cabeza del Buey is also a gateway for birds coming from Africa and Asia, some of them rare or very scarce on the Iberian Peninsula. In recent years, remarkable species have been recorded, such as: northern bald ibis, sociable lapwing, lanner falcon, cream-colored courser, pallid harrier, Eurasian dotterel, pallid swift, white-backed vulture, and Rüppell’s vulture.
A must-do route: La Golondrina Road
A perfect trail to walk, cycle, or drive. From here you can enjoy sightings of great bustards, little bustards, harriers, sandgrouse, and even the majestic flight of the Iberian imperial eagle.
All you need are binoculars, a field guide, and a desire to be amazed. La Serena will provide the rest—an authentic natural spectacle waiting for you around every corner.
