Region
The Couto dos Pardinhos is inserted in the International Tagus Natural Park. The PNTI is a natural park Portuguese covering an area where the Tagus River forms the border between Portugal and Spain. The park occupies an area of 26,484 ha and is located in the Castelo Branco district, covering parts of the municipalities of Castelo Branco, Idanha-a-Nova and Vila Velha de Ródão.
The vegetation of the park includes forests of cork oaks and holm oaks and galleries of willows (Salix sp.) Along the rivers.
It is an important area for bird nesting and can observe the Bonelli's Eagle, golden eagle, griffon vulture and Egyptian Vulture. It also houses populations of black storks, a rare species in Portugal.
The park mammals include the otter-European, the wildcat, the red deer and the genet. Also noteworthy are the willows Salix spp.
The Spanish side lies the designated Parque Natural do Tejo International, which comprises (fully or partially) 11 municipalities: Alcántara, Brozas, Carbajo, Cedillo, Herrera de Alcántara, Membrío, Salorino, Herreruela, Santiago de Alcántara, Valencia de Alcántara and Zarza la Mayor.
