The species is dependent on laurel (Laurus) forest on Madeira, which is mainly found on the north-facing slopes of the island although there are also isolated pockets of forest in the south (Tucker and Heath 1994). It occurs in the high forest zone which is often covered in clouds. The species nests all year round but mainly between February and June. It lays one egg. The nest is an untidy heap of sticks placed in crevices and caves in inaccessible cliffs and occasionally in heather and laurels (Baptista et al. 1997). It feeds mainly on the berries of Laurus azorica which is the most common tree in the laurel forest (Tucker and Heath 1994). It also eats the fruit of Ocotea foetens, Persea indica, Appolonias barbujana, Myrica faya, Clethra arborea and Piconia exelsa (Zino and Zino 1986, Jones 1988, Tucker and Heath 1994). When food resources in the forest are scarce the species moves to agricultural areas where it feeds on cabbages, watercress and fruit trees (Tucker and Heath 1994). The species is sedentary but may move from cliffs to lowland areas to feed (Baptista et al. 1997).

Although the generation length for both EU and Europe regional assessments were calculated using the same methodology, new information arriving after the EU assessments were undertaken gave rise to an update in the generation lengths. This new information was then used for the Europe level assessments giving rise to a difference between the generation lengths used for the EU and Europe regions.

This species is endemic to Europe and can only be found on Madeira (Portugal).

Conservation Actions Underway
EU Birds Directive Annex I. The species now protected under European law, and farmers are provided with bird-scarers. Its native laurel forests are now protected (Baptista et al. 1997). A Species Action Plan was published in 1996 (Oliveira and Heredia 1996) and reviewed in 2010 (Barov and Derhé 2010).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continued survival of species depends directly on protection of habitat and strict control of hunting, and perhaps also of rats (Baptista et al. 1997). The implementation of the management plan should be maintained and improved and monitoring schemes should be continued. Ensure authorities have appropriate means to prevent and extinguish fires in the Laurel forest. Awareness campaigns and increased funding should be provided for the scaring devices project. Research on breeding success, habitat preferences and factors contributing to expansion movements outside laurel forest areas should be conducted. In addition investigation into the impact of rats and their population dynamics should be carried out. Continue monitoring rat control (Barov and Derhé 2010).