The Zino's Petrel (Pterodroma madeira), also known as the Madeira Freira, is a seabird endemic to Madeira (a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, 973 kilometers from Lisbon) and they are one of the most endangered bird species in Europe; and perhaps the world (Anonymous(1), 2014; Anonymous(3), 2013; Zino et al., 2001a; Zino et al., 1995; Fagundes, 2014; Zino et al., 1996; Anonymous(2) , 2011; Zino, et al., 2001b; Anonymous(5), nd; This species was first discovered by Padre Ernesto Schmitz, a German priest naturalist, in 1903, but was mistakenly recorded as a Fea petrel. (Pterodroma feae). In 1934, Gregory Mathews stated that the Pterodromas found on Madeira and the neighboring island should be considered subspecies while in 1975, Paul Alexander Zino proposed that the subspecies be separated. DNA studies carried out with blood samples from Zino Petrel and Fea Petrel confirmed Paul Zino's proposition and they are now considered distinct species. Zino Petrel belongs to the family Procellariidae (Anonymous(3), 2013; Zino. , et al., 1995; Fagundes, 2014; Zino, et al., 2001a).BiogeographyThe Zino Petrel cannot be found on the island of Madeira. They are found at Pico do Arieiro, which rises to 1,818 meters above sea level and is known to be the third highest point on the island of Madeira; and the central mountain range of Madeira, located at approximately 1,600 meters above sea level. Birds prefer nesting areas that are high and rich in flora because these areas are inaccessible to grazing animals that destroy their nests (Anonymous (4), nd; Zino, et al., 1995; Anonymous (3), 2013; Fagundes, 2014; Zino et al., 1996; Zino et al., 2001; The Z...... middle of paper ...... Preparation plan for the Zino petrel (Pterodroma madeira). Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/action_plans/docs/[Accessed February 15, 2014].Zino, F., Heredia, B. & Biscoito, M. , 1996. In: Globally threatened birds in Europe: Council of Europe Publishing, pp. 33-36, 38. Zino, F. Oliveira, P; Boucle, A; , MJ; Neves, SC; Vasconcelos, A., 2001a. Conservation of the Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira in the Madeira archipelago. , A; Biscoito, MJ; Neves, SC; Vasconcelos, A., 2001b. Impact of the control of black rats Rattus rattus and wild cats Felis catus on Zino petrels nesting in the central mountain range of Madeira, Portugal. Available at: http://www.conservationevidence.com/individual-study/1784 [Accessed February 16 2014].