Introduction
This trip was designed primarily to see the endemics, near endemics and other species missing from our African list. Following the recommendations in several trip reports we were fortunate to secure the services of Abiy Dagne (abiybird@gmail.com) who, after being supplied with our list of ‘wanted’ species, designed and organized a trip to all the relevant places in a very professional way, incorporating the flexibility needed on a birding trip. Abiy is an outstanding birder whose knowledge of Ethiopian birds is second to none. The acuity of his eyes and ears never ceased to amaze us, as well as his ability to imitate the calls of most species. The timing of the trip meant that some Palaearctic migrants were absent, but many of the endemics were starting to breed and the rains greened up many areas. We also avoided the period when most commercial tours visit the country.
Overall, the trip was extremely successful and enjoyable with 100 new species, including almost all the endemics, and 430 species seen in total. We found that most birds and other wildlife were easy to see, perhaps because the people are mainly pastoralists and not hunters. Also the scenery is some of Africa’s most spectacular.
Logistics
We flew into and out of Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines, arriving in the evening on the direct flight from Jo’burg and leaving early in the morning on the direct flight to Durban. We paid Abiy about two thirds of the costs of the trip prior to arriving and the rest on arrival. We just had to pay various additional amounts for tips, drinks etc. In some of the more sensitive areas it was necessary to be accompanied by a local ranger, who could facilitate and explain our activities to local people in their language. Throughout the trip we used a Landcruiser station wagon, fitted with long-range fuel tanks and two spare tyres, supplied with a driver (Philemon). The trip would not have been possible without such a vehicle, both in terms of clearance and the need on many occasions for 4-wheel drive. We generally found Ethiopia to be a very safe place, but knowledge of local customs in the many different tribal areas is essential.
Fieldguides used: Birds of the Horn of Africa; Birds of Africa south of the Sahara.
Site guides: Where to watch birds in Ethiopia; Birding Ethiopia – both are very useful, but somewhat out of date with regard to road conditions (e.g. improved bitumen highways) and lodges. With regard to the latter, both Bishangari Lodge and Bekele Molla in the Lake Langano area suffered severe damage in recent troubles and are closed. Bilen Lodge in the Awash region has been abandoned and is in ruins; likewise Kereyou Lodge in Awash N.P. Fortunately in all cases there are satisfactory alternatives, although the term ‘lodge’ does not mean quite the same as it does in east or southern Africa – most are quite basic.
Communications: Our mobile phone worked almost everywhere without any trouble. The internet was mostly turned off during our visit – apparently this was because of national school exams and the posting of answers on the internet! Anyway we were only able to access the internet on four occasions.
Money: Contrary to most published information, there are now ATMs in most medium and large towns and we had no trouble drawing local currency with our overseas cards.
Itinerary
14 May. Arrive Addis Ababa and transfer to Ghion Hotel to stay overnight. Comfortable
15 May. After breakfast proceed to Debre Libanos birding on Sululuta plain en route. o/n Debre Libanos – Ethio-German Hotel – no electricity and no hot water.
16 May. Drive to Jemma Valley and continue onto Debre Birhan. o/n Getva Hotel. Excellent.
17 May. Excursion to Melka Jebedu. o/n Getva Hotel.
18 May. Drive to Awash National Park. o/n Awash Falls Lodge. Comfortable.
19 May. Day at Awash NP. o/n Awash Falls Lodge.
20 May. Day at Awash NP. o/n Awash Falls Lodge.
21 May. Drive to Alidege Plain. o/n Animalia Lodge. Comfortable.
22 May. Drive to Langano. o/n Hara Langano Lodge. Very good.
23 May. Around Langano. o/n Hara Langano Lodge.
24 May. Drive to Bale Mountains NP for two nights. o/n Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel, comfortable.
25 May. Sannete Plateau. o/n Goba Wabeshebelle Hotel.
26 May. Drive to Negele. o/n Mareg Hotel. Very good.
27 May. Birding around Liben Plains and Negele area. o/n Mareg Hotel.
28 May. Drive to Yabello. o/n Borena Lodge. Comfortable, but problems with electricity and water.
29 May. Around Yabello. o/n Yabello Motel. Very good.
30 May. Around Yabello.
31 May. Magado in the morning, then drive to Diwa. Delight Hotel. Very good.
01 June. Drive to Awassa. o/n Awassa United Africa Hotel. Very good.
02 June. Birding at Awassa and leave for Wolliso. o/n Negash Lodge. Very good.
03 June. Excursion to Gibe Gorge and back to Addis Ababa o/n Caravan Hotel. Excellent.
04 June. Early morning transfer to the airport, 10 minutes from the hotel.
Narrative
(Only new species mentioned here, full list at the end)
15 May
Woke to intermittent rain. After breakfast the rain cleared and Abiy arrived. We birded the nicely treed grounds of the Ghion hotel for about an hour, picking up five new species: Banded Barbet, Brown-rumped Seedeater, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher and Swainson’s Sparrow. Following this we set off through Addis, stopping only to buy some provisions, heading for Debre Libanos. After an hour or so we stopped on the Sululta Plains for birding. This is an area of grazed grasslands, streams and swampy patches surrounded by villages. The birding was excellent and we logged another six lifers: White-collared Pigeon, Blue-winged Goose, Abyssinian Longclaw, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Ethiopian Cisticola and Moorland Chat. The visit was prolonged somewhat by Tessa slipping into one of the chest high streams and when Abiy tried to pull her out he also fell in. After drying out and a change of clothes we set off for Debre Libanos, stopping in a rocky outcrop area to see White-winged Cliff Chat, Red-breasted Wheatear and Erlanger’s Lark. We arrived at the Ethio-German Hotel in time for a lunch of delicious spaghetti Bolognaise (a very popular dish in Ethiopia) overlooking the impressive Jemma Valley. After lunch we walked down to the Portuguese Bridge, set over a rocky gorge. New species here were Black-winged Lovebird, Yellow-throated Seedeater and Ruppell’s Black Chat. The arrival of a storm caused us to retreat to the lodge. Next we drove to the Debre Libanos Monastery. Unfortunately, it rained for much of the remainder of the afternoon, although we did find Abyssinian Woodpecker and Abyssinian Oriole in the monastery grounds – causing quite a bit of interest for the hundreds of pilgrims also visiting this famous site. Tessa and Philemon visited the church and museum.
16 May
Most of today was spent in the magnificent Jemma Valley. On the way down the escarpment we stopped at the ‘stake-out’ for Harwood’s Francolin, where the locals now conserve the species and receive payment from visiting birders! We had excellent views of seven Harwood’s Francolins, together with a number of White-billed Starlings and Abyssinian Black Wheatears. Descending into the valley bottom we explored the acacia thorn bush along the Lomi River. Birds were abundant here and new species included Abyssinian White-eye, White-throated Seedeater and Ethiopian Boubou. This is apparently a good site for Red-billed Pytilia, but we failed to locate it. Next we drove back to the Jemma River bridge and birded the river edge thorn bush and the cliff area. By about 3.30 it was very hot and we drove back out of the valley, taking the turn for Debre Birhan once up on the escarpment. This road was very rocky, slow and uncomfortable, and it took until early evening to reach Debre Birhan and the comfortable new Getva Hotel where we were to spend two nights.
17 May
Today was spent on the Ankober road and further on to Melka Ghebdu. On the high grasslands in intermittent light rain between Debre Birhan and Ankober, Abiy’s sharp eyes located Ankober Serins feeding right next to the road– a fortunate find as these can be difficult to find. In the same area we recorded our first Ethiopian Siskins. Taking the road through Ankober and down the escarpment, past innumerable camel trains, we arrived at the well-known Melka Ghebdu stream site. The rain stopped as we arrived and the birds came out! New species included Ruppell’s Weaver, Yellow-breasted Barbet, White-rumped Babbler and Reichenow’s Seedeater. After a picnic lunch we searched down river and finally got a brief view of Red-billed Pytilia. We returned to Debre Birhan arriving late afternoon at the Getva Hotel.
18 May
A long drive today to Awash National Park, passing through Addis Ababa. Before reaching Addis, we stopped at Gise, a site where a number of large ponds and hillocks were created during the building of the new road. Abiy had previously found this to be a good site for Moorland Francolin, and he was right – we had good views of seven. In addition, in a reedy island in the middle of one of the ponds Tessa located a Great Snipe, giving excellent views. Proceeding on, we stopped in Addis for a coffee in the very modern city area, then followed the new six-lane expressway east, turning off at Adama for lunch at the Rift Valley Hotel. From here we continued east on the main highway to Djibouti, a major route for imported goods and fuel, hence large numbers of trucks. Just before Metahara, and with the imposing Mount Fantale on the left, we turned right off the highway onto the old road that runs through the larva field and along Lake Beseka. This very hot area with black larva and sparse thorn trees is a good site for both Sombre Rock Chat and the similar Blackstart – we fortunately found both species and spent time learning to separate them. In addition we added Nile Valley Sunbird and Striolated Bunting to our list. Leaving this heat-trap we drove across the causeway on the old road, re-joined the highway and passed through Metahara. Quite soon we turned right into Awash National Park, heading for Awash Falls Lodge. The drive in was mostly through Acacia and we saw Gillett’s Lark and Grey-headed Batis – two more for the list, as well as the newly split Somali Bulbul. A long, but very interesting day.
19 May
The day was spent in the park south of the highway. The open dining room overlooks Awash Falls, which were in flood. Despite this there were large numbers of crocodiles resting on exposed rocks at the base of the falls and along the gorge. After an excellent early breakfast we set off to bird the area between Park HQ and the abandoned Kereyou Lodge. New birds included Somali Bunting, Buff-crested Bustard, Red-fronted Warbler, Black-cheeked Waxbill and Foxy Lark. The bustards were reasonably common among the thorn trees and in thickish scrub. After lunch back at the lodge, we set out at about 3 pm to explore the grassy plains between Kereyou and the highway – an area well-known for bustards. We eventually found three Northern White-bellied Bustards and finally a single Hartlaub’s Bustard. Kori bustards were abundant and we were fortunate to be able to watch a displaying male. We stayed out until dusk in order to look for nightjars on the old airstrip. Although we did disturb one, it disappeared before it could be identified.
20 May
The day was spent in a similar way to yesterday, exploring the various habitats in the park, but with Steel-blue Whydah the only new lifer. Another evening sojourn on the old airstrip produced nothing but we saw a leopard on the road near park HQ.
21 May
After breakfast we checked out and then drove the short distance to the riverine forest upstream of the Falls, in the vicinity of the “campsites”. After an hour or so we departed for Awash town where Abiy had arranged to pick up a ranger to accompany us on to the Alidege Plains to search for Arabian Bustard. We eventually found him and fitted him (and his AK47) into the vehicle. About two hours was spent driving around this vast plain. The first exciting bird was a Barbary Falcon that flew out of a small grove of tall Acacias. This was followed quite shortly by good views of an Arabian Bustard. After dropping the ranger back in Awash we headed east and then turned north on the Djibouti road. After about 50 km turned left on to a dirt road, arriving at the entrance to Animalia Lodge on the right. This is a hunting lodge situated on an escarpment overlooking the Awash River plain. We were the only guests at this time and arrived in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, as the temperature began to fall a bit, we birded the grounds, picking up Shining Sunbird. We next drove to the disused Bilen Lodge area to bird, collecting a local headman on the way. The lodge is in a sad state, but the surrounding bush yielded good views of two new birds: Four-banded Sandgrouse and Pale Rockfinch. During the night lions were heard in the distance.
22 May
We had breakfast on the terrace overlooking the plain, affording more views of Arabian Bustard. Birding the grounds produced our first Black-throated Barbet. Following this we departed, driving back to Adama, stopping at the German Hotel for lunch, and to repair a tyre. Next we set off for the Central Lakes region, stopping near Lake Koka for Black-crowned Cranes and incidentally picking up Southern Citril. The next stop was at the Wabe Shabelle Hotel on Lake Langano. Here the staff know how to find several species of owls in the grounds. We got great views of a pair of Greyish Eagle Owls, but other species seemed absent. We continued on around Lake Langano and arrived at Hara Langano Lodge in the late afternoon. This lodge has a beautiful location on the shores of Lake Langano, with Colobus Monkeys in the fig trees above the dining room and hippos nearby in the lake, and many birds.
23 May
The first new bird of the morning was White-cheeked Turaco in the fig tree above the dining area. The rest of the morning was spent exploring the bush around the lodge, species diversity was high, and we had great views of Yellow-fronted Parrot. Outside the lodge in the large acacias around the lake, we had little trouble finding Grey-headed Woodpecker. We then walked to the area around the burned down Bishangari Lodge and birded the adjacent evergreen forest. Plenty of good birds, but nothing else new. In the late afternoon we again birded the area around our lodge.
24 May
After scoping some waders on the lake shore and having breakfast, we drove south to Shashamene, then east upwards to the Bale Mountains – our next target area. Just after entering the park we stopped for a picnic lunch in the low vegetation. Shortly after this we saw our first Rouget’s Rail, before turning off to the Parks HQ at Dinsho. Here entry formalities were completed and Abiy arranged for Abedela, a ranger who keeps track of night bird roosts, to accompany us. Abedela brought us close to Abyssinian (Long-eared) Owl and Abyssinian Nightjar in the junipers, with great views of both. After this success we also logged Abyssinian Catbird and White-backed Tit. Taking our leave of Abedela, we then drove on to the town of Goba, where we put up at the Goba Wabe Shabelle Hotel for two nights.
25 May
First thing after breakfast we walked the area behind the hotel to secure Thick-billed Raven and Dwarf Raven (Somali Crow). The rest of the day was spent on the Sanetti Plateau and in the Harenna Forest. Climbing steeply we stopped at 3470 m and in a bushy valley found “Bale” Parisoma as well as more Rouget’s Rails. The road levelled out at about 3950 m, among giant lobelias, and we got distant views of Chestnut-naped Francolin. We continued across the 4000 m rolling high plateau, getting stunning views of Ethiopian Wolves, before descending to the Harenna Forest, good birding but nothing new. We stopped for a very pleasant lunch at the Bale Mountains Lodge, arranged for us at short notice thanks to Abiy’s good reputation with the management. The return journey up the escarpment and across the plateau afforded more good views of wolves, but no more new birds, although close views of Chestnut-naped Francolin were had on the descent to Goba.
26 May
After an early start we re-crossed the Sanetti Plateau, more close views of Ethiopian Wolves, and descended the escarpment through the very extensive Harenna Forest, heading for the southern lowlands. We passed through Dolo Mena towards Genale. Near the Genale River we found our first Shelley’s Starling. Stopping north of the Genale River, with the aid of a few locals, we located several Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco among the fig trees. Adjacent to these in the acacia Abiy heard a Boran Cisticola and we obtained close views of this target species. A bit further on, at a stream crossing we got our first Vitelline Masked Weavers. We arrived in Negele just on dusk and checked into the new Mareg Hotel.
27 May
We left in the dark for the Liben Plains, breakfasting shortly after arriving at the Liben Lark site. It took a couple of hours of quartering the heavily grazed grasslands to finally locate and get good views of Liben Lark. Somali Short-toed Larks were found in the conservation area and our first White-crowned Starlings were seen. We then drove on across the plain, re-joining the bitumen for about 30 km and then taking a very inconspicuous track to the right. Here Abiy expected to find Salvadori’s Seedeater and he was right! Other new birds for us in this dry acacia were Dodson’s Bulbul and Three-streaked Tchagra. After returning to Negele we went out in the late afternoon to a site just west of Negele to await nightfall. In the meantime we birded the mixed cultivation and acacia, finding our first Magpie Starlings. When it was close to dark we played the Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar call once – within a few minutes, one had landed about a metre from us – giving great views!
28 May
Today we drove from Negele to Yabello. We left in the dark, taking a short-cut across the plains to the Yabello road. Near Melka Guba we encountered our first flocks of Vulturine Guinea Fowl. Crossing the Dawa River bridge, we turned immediately right along the track on the western bank of the river. We then had a very welcome breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee – prepared by Abiy and Philemon - before starting the birding. A walk along the western side of the river produced four lifers: White-winged Dove, Juba Weaver, Somali Crombec and Pale Prinia. Leaving this site we birded our way along the road to Wachile. One particularly productive site, in thick thorn bush gave us Red-naped Bush-shrike and Yellow-vented Eremomela. At one point we thought we had located a rare Philippa’s Crombec (there are isolated records from this area), but after careful watching and use of the tape and camera, we determined it to be another Yellow-vented Eremomela – great care is needed to separate these two!
From Wachile we took the road to Soda, picking up White-tailed Swallows around some of the villages. After Soda we took the right hand short-cut to the main highway. Along this short-cut we had excellent views of a flock of 12 Stresemann’s Bush-Crow.
We arrived at Borana Lodge (5 km south of Yabello) in the late afternoon. Although the food was good, and the buildings sound, the lodge appeared rather run-down, later confirmed by the absence of electricity and hot water. We decided to move to the well-known Yabello Motel the following day!
29 May
We checked out of Borana Lodge first thing after breakfast and moved to Yabello Motel. The morning was then spent birding the acacia between Yabello and Dubuluk. This was productive and new birds included Northern Grosbeak Canary, Scaly Chatterer and Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin. We were also lucky enough to disturb a roosting nightjar, which we followed and identified as a Sombre Nightjar. We then returned to Yabello for lunch. The cooler part of the afternoon was spent walking transects in the savanna in the triangle of roads west of Soda in the hope of finding Somali Courser. Unfortunately we could not locate any, but did record our first Short-tailed Larks.
30 May
The targets for today were Masked Lark and Parrot-billed Sparrow. After picking up a ranger from the Borana National Park Office, we headed west from Yabello, mainly on the new bitumen road which, like many in Ethiopia, is under construction by the Chinese. After about 50 km we turned left on to a muddy dirt road that slowly descends to the plain where Masked Larks are recorded. Unfortunately after about 2 km, the road became a muddy morass and we became bogged. It took two hours to extricate the vehicle and get back to the bitumen and another hour to clean up! We then proceeded to the nearby river crossing and parked on the western side of the bridge. From here we walked the tall open forest on the west bank of the river, soon locating Parrot-billed Sparrows, after which we returned to the vehicle for a late lunch.
31 May
Abiy left very early to collect a ranger who had previously worked with the Birdlife team on the newly split (from Chestnut-naped) Black-fronted Francolin. In order to find this bird we drove south, through Mega and turned to the right after about 7 km. The road runs across the escarpment before descending. At a village at the top we obtained permission from the headman to look for the bird. Half way down the escarpment we were able to pull off on a new gravel area that serves as a base for one of the enormous new electricity pylons recently built by the Chinese. These (as yet unwired) disappear in a line down the slope and across the plain to the Kenyan border. This gravel platform afforded excellent views of the rocky cliff of the upper escarpment. It was not long before we had good views of the Black-fronted Francolin calling from a large boulder on the slope. We celebrated success with breakfast and coffee. Abiy found out from the ranger that Masked Lark occurred on the plains below, quite near the border. He offered to take us there and we followed the road down to a small town called Magado. Stopping to talk to soldiers at the military post the ranger obtained permission to drive on, but we were warned about the state of the road. Bearing in mind we had been bogged the day before, we were wary, and after about 10 km it was evident that the recent rains had made the road impassable at a point too far from the open plains to walk. Hence we turned around and headed back to the highway. The ranger with us told us of another site for Somali Courser in the Soda triangle so we spent more time here looking for it - nothing. We then drove from Yabello to Diwa. The road is very slow and mostly dirt or under construction. After this tiring drive we put up at the comfortable Delight Hotel in Diwa.
01 June
Set off after breakfast for Awassa, a large and bustling town on the shores of Lake Awassa. We arrived at the United Africa Hotel on the shores of the lake in time for lunch. This is a pleasant hotel set in treed grounds with lots of birds. The afternoon was spent birding the grounds and along the path that follows the lake shore.
02 June
Departed after breakfast and another walk on the lake shore. We stopped for a short while at the famous fish market before driving north. At Ziway we turned left on the tar road to Butajita. From here an impressive brand new bitumen road climbs the escarpment to over 3000 m, descending slowly to Welkite on the main Addis – Jima road. Lots of birds although nothing new. Here we turned right to Wolliso (Ghion) and the upmarket Negash Lodge. We needed to spend the night here before heading back south-west to Gibe Gorge, our final site of the trip.
03 June
A very early start got us to the Gibe Gorge and Omo River at first light. The drive down into the valley is mostly through well-developed acacia and looks to have potential. Crossing the bridge we took a small dirt road to the right that follows the river valley. This is mixed cultivation, thorn bush and scrub and very birdy. The first of our targets was Egyptian Plover and we had great close views of several birds by the river. We also had good views of our other two target species: Abyssinian Waxbill and Black-faced Firefinch. After breakfast and a little more exploring we returned to the road bridge area for coffee at one of the stalls. Finally set off for Addis Ababa and the end of the trip. Abiy had booked us into the Caravan Hotel – an excellent choice.
04 June
Departed early for the airport and flight to Durban.
A complete checklist of species seen (not including those heard) is provided below. For precise locality information please contact the authors.
Somali Ostrich Struthio molybdophanes
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata
White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanoptera
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus
African Black Duck Anas sparsa
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Vulturine Guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum
Moorland Francolin Scleroptila psilolaema
Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena
Harwood's Francolin Pternistis harwoodi
Chestnut-naped Francolin Pternistis castaneicollis
Black-fronted Francolin Pternistis atrifrons
Erckel's Francolin Pternistis erckelii
Yellow-necked Spurfowl Pternistis leucoscepus
Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer
African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Wattled Ibis Bostrychia carunculata
African Spoonbill Platalea alba
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus
Rüppell's Vulture Gyps rueppelli
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos
Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus
Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
Ayres's Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates
Eastern Chanting Goshawk Melierax poliopterus
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Augur Buzzard Buteo augur
Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs
Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori
White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis
Buff-crested Bustard Lophotis gindiana
Hartlaub's Bustard Lissotis hartlaubii
Rouget's Rail Rougetius rougetii
Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra
African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis
Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina
Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus
Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus
Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
Great Snipe Gallinago media
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii
Double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus
Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus
Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus
Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus
Rock Dove Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
White-collared Pigeon Columba albitorques
Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens
White-winged Collared Dove Streptopelia reichenowi
Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea
Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
Bruce's Green Pigeon Treron waalia
White-cheeked Turaco Tauraco leucotis
Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii
Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus
White-bellied Go-away-bird Corythaixoides leucogaster
Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius
Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus
Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
Greyish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens
African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii
Abyssinian Owl Asio abyssinicus
Sombre Nightjar Caprimulgus fraenatus
Donaldson Smith's Nightjar Caprimulgus donaldsoni
Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus
African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Nyanza Swift Apus niansae
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina
Purple Roller Coracias naevius
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus
Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta
Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus
Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus
White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Black-billed Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus somaliensis
Grant's Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus granti
Black Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus aterrimus
Abyssinian Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus minor
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus
Northern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus
Von der Decken's Hornbill Tockus deckeni
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus flavirostris
Hemprich's Hornbill Lophoceros hemprichii
African Grey Hornbill Lophoceros nasutus
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes brevis
Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus
Red-fronted Barbet Tricholaema diademata
Black-throated Barbet Tricholaema melanocephala
Banded Barbet Lybius undatus
Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito
Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus
Red-and-yellow Barbet Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyphonus margaritatus
D'Arnaud's Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica
Bearded Woodpecker Chloropicus namaquus
Abyssinian Woodpecker Dendropicos abyssinicus
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Eastern Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos spodocephalus
Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides
Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons
Red-bellied Parrot Poicephalus rufiventris
Black-winged Lovebird Agapornis taranta
Grey-headed Batis Batis orientalis
Western Black-headed Batis Batis erlangeri
Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo
Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus
Rosy-patched Bushshrike Telophorus cruentus
Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus
Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
Pringle's Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii
Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris
Red-naped Bushshrike Laniarius ruficeps
Ethiopian Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus
Brubru Nilaus afer
Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea
Northern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus ruppelli
Grey-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
Somali Fiscal Lanius somalicus
Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis
Ethiopian Oriole Oriolus monacha
Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Stresemann's Bushcrow Zavattariornis stresemanni
Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Cape Crow Corvus capensis
Pied Crow Corvus albus
Somali Crow Corvus edithae
Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus
Thick-billed Raven Corvus crassirostris
White-winged Black Tit Melaniparus leucomelas
White-backed Black Tit Melaniparus leuconotus
Acacia Tit Melaniparus thruppi
Mouse-colored Penduline Tit Anthoscopus musculus
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis
Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix signatus
Foxy Lark Calendulauda alopex
Archer's Lark Heteromirafra archeri
Red-winged Lark Mirafra hypermetra
Singing Bush Lark Mirafra cantillans
Gillett's Lark Mirafra gilletti
Short-tailed Lark Spizocorys fremantlii
Thekla Lark Galerida theklae
Erlanger's Lark Calandrella erlangeri
Somali Short-toed Lark Alaudala somalica
Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
Somali Bulbul Pycnonotus somaliensis
Dodson's Bulbul Pycnonotus dodsoni
Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans
Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura
Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii
Somali Crombec Sylvietta isabellina
Brown Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens
African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida
Cinnamon Bracken Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus
Fan-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola brevirostris
Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa
Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus
Ethiopian Cisticola Cisticola lugubris
Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nana
Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus
Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Pale Prinia Prinia somalica
Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Grey Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Yellow-vented Eremomela Eremomela flavicrissalis
Scaly Chatterer Turdoides aylmeri
Rufous Chatterer Turdoides rubiginosa
White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygia
Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri
African Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinica
Brown Parisoma Sylvia lugens
Banded Parisoma Sylvia boehmi
Abyssinian White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus
Montane White-eye Zosterops poliogastrus
African Spotted Creeper Salpornis salvadori
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Lesser Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus
Rüppell's Starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera
Golden-breasted Starling Lamprotornis regius
Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus
Shelley's Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi
White-crowned Starling Lamprotornis albicapillus
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris
Bristle-crowned Starling Onychognathus salvadorii
White-billed Starling Onychognathus albirostris
Magpie Starling Speculipastor bicolor
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus
Abyssinian Ground Thrush Geokichla piaggiae
Groundscraper Thrush Turdus litsitsirupa
African Thrush Turdus pelios
Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus
Abyssinian Thrush Turdus abyssinicus
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes
White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis chocolatinus
Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides
African Grey Flycatcher Melaenornis microrhynchus
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Rüppell's Robin-Chat Cossypha semirufa
White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
Spotted Palm Thrush Cichladusa guttata
White-winged Cliff Chat Monticola semirufus
Little Rock Thrush Monticola rufocinereus
African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus
Moorland Chat Pinarochroa sordida
Mocking Cliff Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Rüppell's Black Chat Myrmecocichla melaena
Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae
Blackstart Oenanthe melanura
Sombre Rock Chat Oenanthe dubia
Abyssinian Wheatear Oenanthe lugubris
Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes orientalis
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Nile Valley Sunbird Hedydipna metallica
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
Hunter's Sunbird Chalcomitra hunteri
Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze
Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus
Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus
Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali
Grey-capped Social Weaver Pseudonigrita arnaudi
Black-capped Social Weaver Pseudonigrita cabanisi
Shelley's Sparrow Passer shelleyi
Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii
Parrot-billed Sparrow Passer gongonensis
Chestnut Sparrow Passer eminibey
Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla
Bush Petronia Gymnoris dentata
Yellow-spotted Petronia Gymnoris pyrgita
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger
White-headed Buffalo Weaver Dinemellia dinemelli
Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis
Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
Rüppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula
Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus
Speke's Weaver Ploceus spekei
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Juba Weaver Ploceus dichrocephalus
Chestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer
Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata
Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata
Abyssinian Crimsonwing Cryptospiza salvadorii
Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Purple Grenadier Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia
Abyssinian Waxbill Estrilda ochrogaster
Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda charmosyna
Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
African Silverbill Euodice cantans
Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata
Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Steel-blue Whydah Vidua hypocherina
Straw-tailed Whydah Vidua fischeri
Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
African Citril Crithagra citrinelloides
Southern Citril Crithagra hyposticta
Yellow-rumped Seedeater Crithagra xanthopygia
Reichenow's Seedeater Crithagra reichenowi
Yellow-throated Seedeater Crithagra flavigula
Salvadori's Seedeater Crithagra xantholaema
Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica
White-bellied Canary Crithagra dorsostriata
Ankober Serin Crithagra ankoberensis
Northern Grosbeak-Canary Crithagra donaldsoni
Brown-rumped Seedeater Crithagra tristriata
Streaky Seedeater Crithagra striolata
Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex
Ethiopian Siskin Serinus nigriceps
Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
Somali Bunting Emberiza poliopleura