18-30 March 2005
Leader: Christian Boix

Trip report

Introduction

Ethiopia still conjures in the minds of many images of famine-riddled refugee camps surrounded by hot, bleak, windswept plains. These images not only belong in the past but to a very unrepresentative patch of the Eritrean/Ethiopian desert boundary in Northern Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is, as a matter of fact, a fascinating, thrilling and highly productive birding destination. The healthy combination of impressive forests, towering mountains and moist and arid savannas, laden with endemics and supporting a rich assemblage of Palearctic migrants, ensure a long species list. Depending on whose taxonomy you follow there are at least 30 endemics. Sinclair & Ryan’s new treatment of Africa’s birds, however, suggest that the Ethiopian highlands region may hold up to 49 endemics, with another 100 species restricted to the Northeast Arid Zone. But perhaps one of the strongest draw cards of Ethiopia is that whilst holding a unique African avifauna, it is east Africa’s first port of call for many Palearctic migrant species. Thus for birders from all parts of the world, Ethiopia holds an intensely sexy bag of African lifers. Harming birds appears to be culturally unaccepted, resulting in an almost Galapagos-like tameness in places. Birding Ziway Lake is almost frightening as you literally elbow your way past hoards of unperturbed Marabou Storks. Green Twinspots hop off your path as you walk past them and large Greater Spotted Eagles watch you bemused as your approach towards them ends up at the base of the very telephone pole upon which they are perched.

Ethiopia may not have the big and woolly numbers of ungulates that next door neighbours such as Uganda and Kenya hold, but what it lacks in quantity it makes for in quality, as I am sure any “virgin” to seeing an Abyssinian Wolf, a Gelada Baboon, a male Nubian Ibex, or a Gerenuk would confess. Ethiopia is rural and archaically so, thus by definition poor and struggling. However it is by far the proudest, most culturally different, beautiful and fervently devout nation Africa has on offer. A confluence of tribes, rites, languages and religions…Ethiopia’s fertility is unquestionable.

In this northern section tour we visited juniper forests clinging off the Great Rift Valley, waded through tributaries of the Nile, searched the Hagenia forests around monasteries shrouded with tales of once housing the Holy Grail, cruised through Africa’s highest road, conquered Tullu Deemtu--the roof of Africa, traipsed through the Afar plains where “Lucy” many moons ago took her first upright baby steps, scoured the impressive lava flows below Fantalle Volcano, and birded ourselves into a stupor along the lush banks of myriad Rift Valley lakes. In the end, the total trip-list for the 13 days was a soaring 471 species recorded, having nailed all but one of the endemics that were possible to see on this route.

18 March 2005. Addis – Gefersa reservoir – Entotto Mtns – Solulta plains.

Woken up by the blaring call for prayer of a dozen mosques and just as many Ethiopian Orthodox church calls…the sun’s first rays were met with high expectations as birding started in earnest at the Ghion Hotel gardens. Opening the trip list was a female European Redstart, followed by a healthy bag of Ethiopian specialties such as Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Wattled Ibis, Black-winged Lovebird, Dusky Turtle Dove, Ruppell’s Robin Chat, Abyssinian White-eye, Brown Parisoma, and Tacazze Sunbird.

By now the skies above Addis had filled up with hundreds of Marabou Storks, Hooded Vultures, and Yellow-billed Kites…before it got any hotter we had breakfast and headed for the famed Gefersa Reservoir. At Gefersa, our main quarry fell effortlessly as we enjoyed magnificent scope views of Blue-winged Goose, the paradoxical African cousin of a congeneric complex that only occurs in South America. Scoping the reservoirs’ waters we picked up Northern Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, and what to date remained an unconfirmed Heuglin´s Gull. The muddy shores were well attended and we got cracking scope views of Black-tailed Godwit, Spurwing Plover, Yellow-billed Stork, and African Spoonbill. Walking the perimeter of the lake was amusing as hundreds of Yellow Wagtails would flit off your stride in pursue of flushed mosquitoes, among these an immaculate White Wagtail was seen, and less prone to take to the wing but equally abundant were White-collared Pigeons, Red-throated Pipits, Moorland Chats, Pied Wheatears, Ethiopian Siskin, a few Thekla Larks, the unmistakable simiens race of Ground-scraper Thrush and a stunning pair of Red-breasted Wheatears. After lunch we drove over the Entotto hills, making a brief stop at the viewpoint just in time to bag the melanistic form of Augur Buzzard, a high flying Thick-billed Raven being mobbed by Fan-tailed Ravens, and a stunning Black Goshawk perched next to the road.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at Solulta Plains, where we were greeted by a Green Sandpiper feeding in a stream next to where we parked our car. The main target here was Abyssinian Longclaw, which we soon enjoyed scope views of, after having flushed a few other interesting additions to the list such as African Quailfinch, Pectoral Patch Cisticola, Long-billed Pipit, Northern Wheatear, and a few placid male Montagu’s Harriers quartering the grasslands. A milling cloud of Plain Martins gathered over the plains, scanning through them yielded two Red-breasted Swallows, but unlike the martins they kept their course and disappeared into the distance. Efforts to relocate them produced a few pairs of Red-rumped Swallows and sterling views of several Erlanger’s Larks. Our final sighting at the plains before light became too dim to bird was that of a Steppe Eagle being grounded by Fan-tailed Ravens and its plight to retain its quarry.

19 March 2005. Addis- Debre Libanos-Alem Ketema.

With a long day ahead we set off early from Addis, missing the morning traffic and only stopping a few times to enjoy up close and personal views of Spot-breasted Lapwing, Bluewinged Goose, Wattled Ibis, and an unexpected Greater Kestrel.
Our arrival at Debre Libanos was met by a group of calling Hemprich´s Hornbills, as the car engine died down a Little Rock Thrush made its whereabouts obvious. A few metres away from the car the ground disappeared into a chasm as we peered over the steep cliff faces of the Rift Valley overlooking the Jemmu River. Besides the breathtaking views the spot lived up to its raptorphilic reputation and before we get back into the car we had been visited by a Tawny Eagle, a Booted Eagle, a few Ruppell´s Griffons, Egyptian Vulture, and a Red-breasted Sparrowhawk. A 150 strong troop of Gelada Baboons foraged the grasslands below the eucalypts next to the road and gave us a stunning chance to admire this magnificent and highly social species. The forest was very productive yielding Mountain Oriole, White-cheeked Turaco, White-billed Starling, Banded Barbet, Ruppell´s Chat, Montane White-eye, Mottled and Nyanza Swifts, Abyssinian Cisticola and White-rumped Babbler.

As idyllic as the picnic spot was near Debre Libanos a constant flurry of good birds kept us from fully enjoying our meal, as we scurried after the calls of a White-winged Cliff Chat (see photo), were teased by Mocking Chats and (Heuglin´s) Abyssinian Black Wheatears, played hide and seek with a covey of Erckel’s Francolin, and enjoyed good views of a Lanner Falcon. The drive to the Jemmu Valley was swift and entertaining finding several more flocks of Spot-breasted Lapwings and Black-winged Plovers. For Daan and Noel the sight of an adult male Pallid Harrier maneuvering in the breeze was one of the days highlights.

Undoubtedly the best bird of the day was the seldom seen Archer’s Francolin, which crossed in front of the vehicle and slowly moved through the grass away from us, allowing us ample time to photograph it and study it in detail. We reached the bottom of Jemmu Valley shortly before dusk and walked some suitable habitat listening carefully for Harwood’s Francolin going to roost, the silence was only broken by the calls of Senegal Thick-knees, Yellow-spotted Petronias, and Speckle-fronted Weavers noisily gathering at bushes to roost.

Just before climbing back in our vehicle the distinct and loud calls of Slender-tailed Nightjars came alive, and on approach a stunning male flushed and flopped about in front of us before landing again. On our drive to Alem Ketema we spotted a Grayish Eagle Owl next to the road and a dazzling Golden Jackal.

20 March 2005. Alem Ketema – Jemmu River – Debre Birhan.

Dawn met us clambering over rocky hills and riverbeds in search of Harwood’s Francolin; none was seen nor heard down at the Jemmu Valley. All sites of previously flushed coveys were revisited, and whilst the main quarry played hard to get we managed to bag an impressive sample of Jemmu specials including Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Black Scimitarbill, Black-billed Barbet, Black-headed Lapwing, Foxy Cisticola, Cut-throat Finch, Green-backed Eremomela, and other interesting sightings such as Woolly-necked Stork, African Collared Dove, Abyssinian Roller, Boran Cisticola, Grey-headed Batis, and Bush Petronia.

Choice of a picnic spot proved once more to be CRITICAL. Shortly after laying out our picnic at the edge of the escarpment, the distinctive grating calls of Harwood’s Francolin started sounding below our feet at the base of the ridge. Access seemed impossible but a sheepherder following a trail on the ledge appeared, we asked him if he could approach the bush cautiously, and as he did the covey burst out, providing gliding views of five Harwood Francolins seeking cover at the ledge below. The remainder of the drive to Debre Birhan was pretty uneventful, albeit seasoned by very large flocks of Erlanger’s Lark, Ethiopian Siskin, and Thekla Lark.

21 March 2005. Debre Birhan – Ankober – Afar Plains.

Miserable morning weather with threatening cloud cover and thick mist surrounded us as we made way to the Ankober Escarpment. A few brave forays into thick mist and spitting rain yielded a pair of Moorland Francolin, a scurrying Stark’s Hare, and a lonely Mountain Buzzard. With visibility worsening and time ticking by with no hope for a break in the weather, we decided to press on.

We swiftly descended the highlands past Ankober and soon reached the radically dry thorny savannas at the base of the escarpment. Here we birded the scrub that flanks several streams, near Mhelka Gebdu. Birding was most rewarding after a slow and cold morning, but we soon warmed up with great views of a Yellow-rumped Serin, but the real excitement came when we discovered two Yellow-throated Seedeaters amongst them…a bird most people trek up to Mount Fantalle to look for, and whose distribution is very poorly known. Other birds here included Orange-bellied Parrot, Black Scimitarbill, Rufous Chatterer, Slate-coloured and Tropical Boubous, White-bellied Go-away Bird, Red and Yellow Barbet, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Superb Starling, White-browed Scrub-Robin, and the dainty Black-cheeked Waxbill.

With a long way ahead of us we reluctantly left this prolific habitat and reached the Afar plains. A flock of Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse welcomed us by landing next to the car, and on approach we were treated to a Nile Valley Sunbird in full courtship display. The bustard show started in earnest and in less than an hour we managed to get great views of a pair of Northern White-bellied Bustards, a flock of three Buff-crested Bustards, several Kori Bustards, and the most sought after of all--5 Arabian Bustards calmly strutting past our car over the lush green plains of the Afar region.

Recent rains had bogged the plains well beyond our drivers’ skills and got stuck in the mud twice, taking hours to free the vehicle. With night upon us and no alternate route available, we backtracked towards Ankober and sought alternate accommodation.

22 March 2005. Debre Birhan – Addis – Awash NP.

With the route across the Afar plains bogged and barred we had no option other than to reach Awash via Addis. Without delay we parted and covered the distance as swiftly as we could, managing to squeeze some birding and game viewing at Awash NP in the late afternoon. The most notable species on our way being Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Somali Fiscal, and more Arabian Bustards. Mammal-wise we had good looks at Beisa Oryx and Soemmerring’s Gazelle, a distant Swayne’s Hartebeest, and an unexpected Aardwolf that had started its nocturnal round early.

23 March 2005. Awash NP.

This morning we birded the southern sections of Awash NP; these encompass some productive and exciting acacia scrub, riverine forest along the Awash River, and the extensive grasslands that make Awash so famous. Morning highlights included Scissor-tailed Kite, Pygmy Falcon, Bateleur, Lappet-faced Vulture, Rosy-patch Bushshrike, Singing Bush Lark, Red-winged Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, Ashy Cisticola, Red-fronted Warbler, Gray Wren-Warbler, African Grey Flycatcher, Pale Rock Finch, Straw-tailed Whydah, and White-bellied Canary. Lunch at the impressive balcony of Kereyou Lodge did not produce the saw-wing but we were well entertained by a Blackstart. In the afternoon we visited the northern section of the parkl; the drive was pretty uneventful through low dense scrub, with Northern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, and another covey of Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse spicing it up. En route we stopped at some open woodland which was teeming with birds, but except for some cracking views of birds we had already seen there was nothing to add…except Salt’s Dik-dik.

Our arrival committee at Filwoha Springs was gallant troop of Hammadryas Baboons foraging under the palms. The emerging hot waters of this spring have created a beautiful marshland surrounded by palms and a prominent lava tunnel. Ruff, Little Stint and Sanderling fed busily, but we were particularly excited to locate a Spotted Redshank. Leaving the area an Ovambo Sparrowhawk surprised us all as it flew over the car. The drive back was pleasant and scenic as we followed the base of Mount Fantalle, a still active volcano. Besides some stately Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, the only other bird worth mentioning was a White-throated Bee-eater, the one and only of the whole trip. Tonight we decided to change accommodation and slept in Awash at the quaint Buffet de la Gare.

24 March 2005. Awash NP – Lake Ziway – Lake Langano.

Morning could not have started better, as a Bristle-crowned Starling decided to visit the hotel gardens and perch on nearby buildings, allowing us all to have good views of this impressively sized starling. On our way to Ziway we stopped at a prominent lava flow next to the road, and in less than 10 minutes we were enjoying scope views of a pair of Sombre Rock-Chats. An Icterine Warbler showed itself beautifully to Noel, who still needed a decent view of the bird. A short walk in some adjacent woodland proved most rewarding as we managed to call in Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Northern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit, another Red-fronted Warbler, and Red-faced Crombec. En route to Lake Ziway we scoped several perched raptors until we finally got what we were looking for ….our first Eastern Chanting Goshawk. Birding along the main tarred road heading south we stopped at several flooded areas and got lucky with Black–crowned Crane, Western Marsh Harrier, Pink-backed Pelican, Goliath Heron, Abdim´s Stork, and by the time we reached Ziway no less than 33 Abyssinian Ground Hornbills on nearby fields.

Before birding Lake Ziway we took lunch at the Bekele Mola Hotel, where we found an Upcher’s Warbler in the trees next to the dining area. Lake Ziway was teeming with birds; while hordes of fishermen were cleaning their catch, hundreds of Marabou Storks had gathered for scraps as usual. A thorough scan revealed a few sought specialties like African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Jack Snipe, Black Egret doing its umbrella hunt, Heuglin´s Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Northern Shoveler, Hottentot Teal, and many other commoner species that were welcome additions to our burgeoning list.

A short walk around the lakeshore produced two more welcome additions, Long-crested Eagle and Slender-billed Gull. Crawling on the ground was a mass of Yellow Wagtails which, as common as they may have been, were fascinating to look at as at least three if not four different subspecies had converged at this spot (feldegg, flavissima, flava, and thunbergi). Just before reaching our accommodation at Langano we located a Red-fronted Barbet calling from some acacias next to the road. On arrival at the hotel the haunting calls of a Grey-headed Bushshrike summoned us and allowed for superb views.

After supper we took a 2 hr night drive along the dirt roads that surround the lake; it proved surprisingly productive not only bird-wise but mammal-wise. Our first spot was a Von der Deckens Hornbill, followed by several Scrub Hares, one Small Spotted Genet, a Striped Polecat, and three Spotted Hyaenas. Near the hotel the churring of a Plain Nightjar could be heard and was briefly seen flying over the road, another one was better seen later that night, and we also had cracking views of yet another Slender-tailed Nightjar. But by far the star attractions of the drive were two Three-banded Coursers that stood motion less barely 100 m from the car.

25 March 2005. Lake Langano – Abjatta Shalla NP - Wondo Genet.

Birding at the hotel grounds was very productive and added a string of delectable species such as Brown-backed Honeybird, Ruppell´s Weaver, Black-headed Batis, Masked Shrike, White-winged Black Tit, Clapperton´s Francolin, Beautiful Sunbird, Superb Starling, and even better views of another Upcher’s Warbler. In an attempt to catch a second viewing of last night’s Three-banded Coursers we scoured the area where they were last seen, but found no signs from them. Instead we managed to inch ourselves closest to some Four-banded Sandgrouse and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse.

In fact something rather amusing and symbolic of Ethiopia took place here. During our walk we came across a Four-banded Sandgrouse that had struck a branch on flight shattering its humerus, its wing dragging hopelessly. Stumbling upon it with an entourage of Ethiopian kids right behind us, I thought the chances of picking or hiding this bird without them noticing was almost impossible. Noticing the broken wing and knowing the poor bird would not stand a chance--but mostly wishing this kids would now disappear and left us alone to bird in peace, I picked the bird and handed it over to the kids exclaiming go, pluck it and have a king’s meal. The kids held out their hands, the more senior reaching first and gently clutching the bird in its palms took the bird behind a bush and softly tucked it in…as if to recover or die on its own accord. To say it left me dumbstruck is a gross understatement…of all the reactions I expected from this “give me whatever you have on you that you do not need” kids…what he did was living proof of what I had read and disbelieved…that birds in Ethiopia enjoy quasi sacred reverence by almost every tribe and culture…

We reached Abjatta-Shalla NP when it was already hot and we had little hopes for much, however we struck gold from the car with stunning specimen of Gillett’s Lark. Other interesting species during our brief visit were an impressively coloured Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, a melanistic Gabar Goshawk, several Yellow-rumped Serins, andthousands of Eared Grebes and Lesser Flamingoes. Bohor Reedbuck was added to the mammal list.

After several days of birding in the heat, the thought of lush and cool Hagenia and conifer forests was luring enough to alter our course towards Wondo Genet. The afternoon was spent birding a patch of Hagenia woodland above the hotel grounds. On our ramble up the hill we bumped into several Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, a stunning male Narina Trogon, and a Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike. At the Hagenia forest we enjoyed a superb afternoon slowly teasing out the MOST WANTEDS one by one: Yellow-fronted Parrot, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Grey Cuckooshrike, Sharpe’s Starling, African Hill Babbler, Brown Woodland Warbler, and eventually a Spotted Creeper which in fact led us to find our first and only Abyssinian Woodpecker Beaming and feeling deserving of a good rest we walked back to the hotel and geared up for a dip in the nearby hot water spring. A darting Half-collared Kingfisher and a perched Striped Kingfisher where the last additions of the day before supper.

26 March 2005. Wondo Genet.

A pre-breakfast ramble around the perimeter of the hotel produced Yellow-bellied Waxbill and Wood Owl. Thick-billed Ravens were busy searching for scraps outside the kitchen door giving us a great chance to admire their bizarre bill and overall size.

Since we still had a few specialties “pending” back at the Hagenia forest we decided to drive up and maximize our time there. This proved a wise decision as bird activity in the forest was prolific in the morning. Highlights and additions for the morning included Northern Grosbeak Canary, Grosbeak Weaver, Lemon Dove, Crowned Eagle, Red-winged Starling, and Green-backed Honeybird, plus every species sighted the day before, with the exception of Abyssinian Woodpecker. Alas, there were still some specialties to tease out, but not for long. Reaching a clearing further up the hill the distinct fluty calls of a Zoothera thrush gave away the whereabouts of an Abyssinian Ground Thrush, which did not take much to be enticed onto an open perch. Likewise a Double-toothed Barbet and Northern Puffback screamed in as the first notes of their call were played out.

We also spent some time watching several troops of agile Guereza Colobus as they leapt from tree to tree with their white shawls and long fluffy tails trailing behind. Walking back to the car a Little Sparrowhawk flew across the path, and shortly before the hotel’s gates a flock of Green Twinspots and Black and White Manikins fed on the road on Casuarinas seeds. A short walk up the quarry after lunch, proved to be mildly successful with Reichenow’s Seedeater, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, and Blue-headed Coucal being worth of note.

27 March 2005. Wondo Genet – Bale – Robe.

An early departure from Wondo Genet was necessary, and so by 06h00 we were merrily bouncing away on the long and hard road to Bale Mountains NP. Several flocks of Olive Pigeons flew across the road. Our first stop was to be an old Long-eared Owl stakeout. On arrival a multitude gathered and after searching the first three eucalypts in the grove, the multitude concurred…that devilish beast you are looking for, the one that hoots at night, it is dead for eating our chickens. Wondering if it may have come back we proceeded, but to no avail; however in doing so we did come across some good-looking Tree Pipits and several Ortolan Buntings.

The entourage of locals was keen to help and started to produce gen on the whereabouts of another owl, also with ears, also brown, that slept in trees…so since time was in our side we decided to give it a go. Operation Owl had now been officially launched …the cries and yells of excitement gathered an army of kids which like a swarm descended into a nearby gulley. Orchestrated by a few elders on the ridge, the long gulley was combed up and down, left to right until eventually a massive Cape Eagle Owl took to the wing and flew in front and away from us along an adjacent gulley. A distant herdsman saw it land, and carefully we all approached it, set the scope up and spent a good half hour showing every kid in the province the perched owl. Indeed a nice sighting, but surely a terrifying experience for Mr. Owl, the moral of the story…when it comes to kids in Ethiopia if you involve one you involve 1000, and unless you can speak Amharic nothing you say will switch off their enthusiasm.

The rest of the drive was seasoned by several exciting sightings such as a single Imperial Eagle perched atop a tree of that we enjoyed good scope views of. A distinct Long-legged Buzzard banking about in the grasslands with its long wings. Flocks of industrious Lesser Kestrels hunted over the grasslands and colourful European Bee-eaters perched on telephone wires. As we left the grassland plateau and started winding up towards the Bale Mountains, we met on the gravel road one of our targets for the day, the setting being far from idyllic, but hey who is a purist??…in front of us was the rather good looking and shameless Rouget’s Rail.

Bale Mountains NP information centre was to be our last birding stop for the day. Stretching legs after the long drive through this luxuriant juniper forest is indeed a rare pleasure. The catbirds were not as curious as usual, only showing poorly as they darted from tree to tree ahead of us…but just when it seemed we were going to be chasing Abyssinian Catbirds deep into the night a rather relaxed pair popped in front of us and put out a sterling display. Shortly after a White-backed Tit was spotted foraging nearby and on our way to the car a calling Cinnamon Bracken Warbler gave away its hiding place, and soon provided stonking views of this rather good looking Bradypterus. The last good bird of the day was Somali Crow, perched atop a lamppost in the town of Robe. On the mammal front we were lucky to catch sight of the handsome Menelik’s Bushbuck, several groups of Mountain Nyala, many foraging and wallowing Warthogs, and Mountain Reedbuck.

28 March 2005. Robe – Bale Mountains NP – Robe.

Today was spent entirely on the roof of Africa, birding Sanetti Plateau and visiting Tullu Demtu and the Harenna Forest. The morning kick started with a sedate Rufousbreasted Sparrowhawk perched and an African Hobby that tore through the skies like a bullet in pursuit of some unsuspecting quarry. Several coveys of Chestnutnaped Francolin foraged along the road, a stunning pair of Moorland Francolins allowed for superb views (see photo) and several Rouget’s Rails foraged in the open unconcerned of our presence.

As we reached the plateau we were treated to a glorious green-grey expanse of mulchey soils, spongy mosses and lichens with pockets of red hot pokers in bloom and solitary giant lobelias with their unusual silvery flower spikes. A myriad of water bodies dot the landscape and thrive with waterfowl and waders. By now we had seen most of the waterfowl but we still managed to add to the list Ruddy Shelduck and Northern Pintail.

Scanning for Wattled Cranes our first Abyssinian Wolf of the day was spotted and, just as expected, the excitement and emotions of witnessing this threatened and superb looking canid were truly overwhelming. Trotting like a jackal, as if dancing over mossy clumps, the wolf moved through the plains transfixed on the ground, stopping every so often to suddenly sink its snout into the ground and spiraling around the scent source excitedly, assumingly on a fresh rodent scent trail. No matter how much further away it moved, its red pelt was beautiful to watch, and it took all of our energy to pull bins off it. Fortunately three more sightings were to follow and by the end of the day we all felt amply satisfied. The plateau itself did not produce much else other than a Whinchat and loads of ice rats scurrying all over the place. We descended towards Harenna Forest and on the way down birded some fallow lands and some magnificent heath forest. Pretty much everything we saw at the info centre was re-sighted (Abyssinian Catbird, White-backed Tit, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, etc...); additions included Chiff-chaff and Dusky Flycatcher. The most exciting sighting of the morning was a pair of Golden Eagles, which although did not grant us the pleasure of closer looks, were still identifiable. After lunch at a luxuriant and lush glade we climbed back up to the plateau, and headed for Tullu Deemtu peak, where we hoped to bump into the scarce Red-billed Chough. No choughs were seen, but we did get superb close up views of a curious Bearded Vulture, as well as a Black Stork and a flock of White Storks.

Just before leaving the plateau, a Lanner Falcon cruised placidly the edge of the plateau allowing for some great views. On our way back to the hotel we were also treated to a perched Little Sparrowhawk right next to the road. The altitude, wind chill, and cold of the highlands left us all pretty tired and we all retired early to bed, pre-empting that the next day would be equally long …but back in the heat.

29 March 2005. Robe – Sof Omar – Robe.

We parted from Robe in the dark and headed towards Sof Omar, hoping to reach the area before it got too hot and bird activity died down. The three hour drive was thankfully pretty uneventful and we only stopped briefly to confirm a Black Crake and id a small Accipiter that turned out to be a Shikra. We reached Sof Omar in good time, and headed straight to an area located on a previous Tropical Birding tour where some Asteraceae bushes and some acacias had started flowering. We hoped this would attract some seedeaters, as today’s quarry was Salvadori’s Serin, a rather poorly researched species, whose distribution keeps on widening as more birding groups visit Ethiopia.

The first sighting worth of mention was a flock of Northern Brownbuls, followed by a noisy Somali Tit, and shortly after a stunning pair of Nubian Woodpeckers. Rufous Chatterers skulked deep in the bushes offering brief and protracted views; the distinct calls of a Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike gave its hideout away. Sunbird traffic signaled that nectar production had reached a morning peak, while in the Acacias Shining Sunbirds were busy feeding. A different batis call lured us straight onto a lovely Pygmy Batis, and in the same tree a Spotted Flycatcher was sallying for insects. A re-visit to the Asteraceae bush paid its dividends…. perched atop the bush working through some closed flower heads was a single full coloured adult Salvadori’s Serin donning its yellow bib and black ink blotch, unperturbed by our close presence. We had knee-wobbling scope views till we were truly saturated and moved on after it left.

Birding towards the river we came across Yellow-breasted Apalis, Gray Wren-Warbler, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Red-backed Scrub Robin, African Robin and Common Nightingale. At the river we joined what felt like a medieval movie set, with cows, goats and camels drinking knee high in the river, men and woman washing clothes and themselves, singing and playfully splashing about—a rather refreshing sight now that the heat had settled in.

At a large fig tree above the Sof Omar caves entrance we got some more point blank views of Bristle-crowned Starling. Heading back to the car, Daan slipped and fell badly on his knee, so we decided to rest for a while, have lunch, and head back early. The drive back did not add anything significant, although we had a chance to admire some stunning individuals of the local Stonechat (spp. Rubicula), and got distracted by some more flavissima Yellow Wagtails, that looked like Citrines.

30 March 2005. Robe - Awassa

The drive back to Awassa was bumpy and long, with Slender-billed Starling outside Dinsho, an immature Imperial Eagle, loads of Ruppell’s Griffons, another Long-legged Buzzard, and Red-collared Widow breaking the monotony of the drive. We reached Awassa at lunch time and after a short downpour set off to walk the hotel grounds and the lake edge. At the hotel grounds birding was good, but the only bird worth mentioning was a Banded Snake Eagle, which we were pleasantly surprised to flush.

The walk along the lakeshore was pleasant and productive adding to the list a few more species such as Intermediate Egret, Saddle-billed Stork, White-backed Duck, Garganey, African Fish Eagle, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Eurasian Sedge Warbler, and a good-looking Greater Whitethroat.

On the way back to the hotel, we tracked down a Red-throated Wryneck that was perched and calling away…and with this last intra African migrant, the Tropical Birding services came to an end, Noel and Daan continued their self organised exploration of southern Ethiopia and Christian Boix returned to Addis Ababa to catch his connecting flight to Douala to kick-start the 2005 Southern Forests tour of Southern Cameroon.

Ethiopian Highlands Triplist
(Based on Clements, with Sinclair potential splits)

1 Ostrich Struthio camelus
2 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
3 Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
4 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
5 Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
6 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
7 Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus
8 Darter Anhinga melanogaster
9 Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
10 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
11 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
12 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
13 Great Egret Ardea alba
14 Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca
15 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
16 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
17 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
18 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
19 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
20 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
21 Black Stork Ciconia nigra
22 Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii
23 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
24 White Stork Ciconia ciconia
25 Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
26 Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus
27 Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
28 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
29 Wattled Ibis Bostrychia carunculata
30 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
31 African Spoonbill Platalea alba
32 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
33 Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor
34 White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
35 White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
36 Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus
37 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
38 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
39 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
40 African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus
41 Cape Teal Anas capensis
42 Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
43 Northern Pintail Anas acuta
44 Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha
45 Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota
46 Garganey Anas querquedula
47 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
48 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
49 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
50 Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii
51 Black Kite Milvus migrans
52 African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
53 Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus
54 Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus
55 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
56 White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus
57 Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii
58 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus
59 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus
60 Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
61 Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus
62 Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens
63 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
64 Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
65 African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus
66 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
67 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus
68 African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
69 Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates
70 Eastern Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus
71 Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar
72 Shikra Accipiter badius
73 Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus
74 Ovampo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis
75 Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris
76 Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus
77 Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo
78 Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus
79 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
80 Augur Buzzard Buteo augur
81 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
82 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
83 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax
84 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
85 Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
86 Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi
87 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
88 African Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster
89 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
90 Ayres' Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii
91 Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
92 Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
93 Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius
94 Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus
95 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
96 Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
97 Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides
98 African Hobby Falco cuvierii
99 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
100 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
101 Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena
102 Moorland Francolin Francolinus psilolaemus
103 Archer´s Francolin Francolinus levaillantoides
104 Clapperton's Francolin Francolinus clappertoni
105 Harwood's Francolin Francolinus harwoodi
106 Yellow-necked Francolin Francolinus leucoscepus
107 Chestnut-naped Francolin Francolinus castaneicollis
108 Erckel's Francolin Francolinus erckelii
109 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix
110 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
111 Black Crowned-Crane Balearica pavonina
112 Rouget's Rail Rougetius rougetii
113 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris
114 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
115 Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata
116 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
117 Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs
118 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori
119 White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis
120 Buff-crested Bustard Eupodotis gindiana
121 Hartlaub's Bustard Lissotis hartlaubii
122 Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis
123 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
124 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
125 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
126 Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis
127 Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus
128 Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
129 Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus
130 Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus
131 Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus
132 Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
133 Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus
134 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
135 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
136 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
137 Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
138 African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis
139 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
140 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
141 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
142 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
143 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
144 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
145 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
146 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
147 Sanderling Calidris alba
148 Little Stint Calidris minuta
149 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
150 Ruff Philomachus pugnax
151 Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans
152 Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
153 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
154 Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
155 Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
156 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
157 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
158 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus
159 Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii
160 Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus
161 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
162 White-collared Pigeon Columba albitorques
163 Rameron Pigeon Columba arquatrix
164 Lemon Dove Columba larvata
165 Dusky Turtle-Dove Streptopelia lugens
166 African Collared-Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea
167 African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens
168 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
169 Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
170 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
171 Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos
172 Black-billed Wood-Dove Turtur abyssinicus
173 Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer
174 Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
175 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
176 Black-winged Lovebird Agapornis taranta
177 Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons
178 White-cheeked Turaco Tauraco leucotis
179 White-bellied Go-away-bird Corythaixoides leucogaster
180 Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
181 Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
182 African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis
183 Klaas' Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
184 African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
185 Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus
186 White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus
187 Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis
188 Grayish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens
189 African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii
190 Sombre Nightjar Caprimulgus fraenatus
191 Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus
192 African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
193 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
194 Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis
195 Common Swift Apus apus
196 Nyanza Swift Apus niansae
197 Horus Swift Apus horus
198 White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
199 Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
200 Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
201 Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina
202 Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata
203 Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata
204 African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta
205 Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
206 Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
207 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
208 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
209 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
210 Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
211 Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus
212 White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
213 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
214 Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus
215 Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica
216 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata
217 Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevia
218 Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
219 Black-billed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus somaliensis
220 Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus
221 Abyssinian Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus minor
222 Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus
223 Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus flavirostris
224 Von der Decken's Hornbill Tockus deckeni
225 Hemprich's Hornbill Tockus hemprichii
226 African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus
227 Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna brevis
228 Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus
229 Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus
230 Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus
231 Red-fronted Barbet Tricholaema diademata
232 Black-throated Barbet Tricholaema melanocephala
233 Banded Barbet Lybius undatus
234 Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito
235 Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus
236 Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyphonus margaritatus
237 Red-and-yellow Barbet Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
238 Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
239 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
240 Green-backed Honeyguide Prodotiscus zambesiae
241 Wahlberg's Honeyguide Prodotiscus regulus
242 Rufous-necked Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
243 Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica
244 Abyssinian Woodpecker Dendropicos abyssinicus
245 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
246 Gray-headed Woodpecker Dendropicos spodocephalus
247 Red-winged Lark Mirafra hypermetra
248 Gillett's Lark Mirafra gilletti
249 Singing Bush Lark Mirafra cantillans
250 Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis
251 Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix signatus
252 Erlangers Lark Calandrella erlangeri
253 Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica
254 Thekla Lark Galerida theklae
255 Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
256 Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
257 Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula
258 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
259 Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida
260 Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
261 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
262 Lesser Striped-Swallow Hirundo abyssinica
263 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
264 House Martin Delichon urbica
265 White-headed Sawwing Psalidoprocne albiceps
266 Brown Sawwing Psalidoprocne antinorii
267 White Wagtail Motacilla alba
268 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
269 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
270 Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
271 Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis
272 African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
273 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
274 Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
275 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
276 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
277 Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia
278 Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga phoenicea
279 Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
280 Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans
281 Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis
282 Little Rock-Thrush Monticola rufocinereus
283 Abyssinian Ground-Thrush Zoothera piaggiae
284 Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsipsirupa
285 Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus
286 African Thrush Turdus pelios
287 Ethiopian Cisticola Cisticola lugubris
288 Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa
289 Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
290 Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus
291 Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps
292 Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus
293 Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes
294 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
295 Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens
296 Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
297 Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
298 Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons
299 Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
300 Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus
301 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
302 Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
303 African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus
304 Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris
305 Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida
306 Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida
307 Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
308 Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
309 Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
310 Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela canescens
311 Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura
312 Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii
313 Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens
314 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
315 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
316 Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis
317 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
318 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
319 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
320 Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis
321 Brown Warbler Parisoma lugens
322 Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
323 African Gray Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus
324 Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis chocolatinus
325 Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides
326 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
327 African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
328 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
329 White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis
330 Rueppell's Robin-Chat Cossypha semirufa
331 White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
332 Red-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
333 Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes
334 African Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas minor
335 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
336 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
337 Common Stonechat Saxicola rubicola
338 African Stonechat Saxicola torquata
339 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
340 Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka
341 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica
342 Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna
343 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
344 Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae
345 Brown-tailed Rock Chat Cercomela scotocerca
346 Sombre Chat Cercomela dubia
347 Blackstart Cercomela melanura
348 Moorland Chat Cercomela sordida
349 Rueppell's Chat Myrmecocichla melaena
350 Mocking Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
351 White-winged Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea semirufa
352 Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
353 Gray-headed Batis Batis orientalis
354 Black-headed Batis Batis minor
355 Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo
356 African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
357 African Hill Babbler Illadopsis abyssinica
358 Rufous Chatterer Turdoides rubiginosus
359 White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygius
360 Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri
361 White-winged Black-Tit Melaniparus leucomelas
362 White-backed Black-Tit Melaniparus leuconotus
363 Somali Tit Melaniparus thruppi
364 Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus
365 Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus musculus
366 Nile Valley Sunbird Hedydipna metallica
367 Western Olive-Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura
368 Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
369 Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze
370 Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa
371 Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus
372 Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
373 Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus
374 Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus
375 Broad-ringed White-eye Zosterops poliogaster
376 White-breasted White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus
377 Dark-headed Oriole Oriolus monacha
378 African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
379 Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus
380 Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
381 Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis
382 Somali Fiscal Lanius somalicus
383 Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
384 Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus
385 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
386 Brubru Nilaus afer
387 Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
388 Marsh Tchagra Tchagra minuta
389 Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala
390 Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus
391 Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris
392 Rosy-patched Bushshrike Rhodophoneus cruentus
393 Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus
394 Gray-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti
395 White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
396 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
397 Cape Crow Corvus capensis
398 Pied Crow Corvus albus
399 Dwarf Raven (Somali Crow) Corvus edithae
400 Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis
401 Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus
402 Thick-billed Raven Corvus crassirostris
403 Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
404 Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
405 Rueppell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpuropterus
406 Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus
407 Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
408 Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris
409 Bristle-crowned Starling Onychognathus salvadorii
410 White-billed Starling Onychognathus albirostris
411 Sharpe's Starling Pholia sharpii
412 Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus
413 Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
414 Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii
415 Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita
416 Bush Petronia Petronia dentata
417 Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla
418 White-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis albirostris
419 Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger
420 White-headed Buffalo-Weaver Dinemellia dinemelli
421 Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis
422 White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali
423 Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus
424 Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
425 Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus
426 Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius
427 Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
428 Rueppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula
429 African Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus
430 Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
431 Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
432 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
433 Black Bishop Euplectes gierowii
434 Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
435 Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
436 Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macrourus
437 White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus
438 Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
439 Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
440 Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata
441 Green-backed Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
442 Abyssinian Crimson-wing Cryptospiza salvadorii
443 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
444 African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
445 Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia
446 Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
447 Abyssinian Waxbill Estrilda ochrogaster
448 Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga
449 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
450 Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda charmosyna
451 African Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
452 African Silverbill Lonchura cantans
453 Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata
454 Black-and-white Mannikin Lonchura bicolor
455 Cut-throat Amadina fasciata
456 Straw-tailed Whydah Vidua fischeri
457 Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
458 Abyssinian Siskin Serinus nigriceps
459 African Citril Serinus citrinelloides
460 Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavicollis
461 Yellow-throated Serin Serinus flavigula
462 Salvadori's Serin Serinus xantholaemus
463 Yellow-rumped Serin Serinus xanthopygius
464 Northern Grosbeak-Canary Serinus donaldsoni
465 White-bellied Canary Serinus dorsostriatus
466 Reichard's Seedeater Serinus reichardi
467 Reichenow´s Seedeater Serinus reichenowi
468 Brown-rumped Seedeater Serinus tristriatus
469 Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus
470 Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana
471 Brown-rumped Bunting Emberiza affinis

Ethiopian Mammal Triplist
(Based on Kingdon 1997)

Species Scientific name

1 Guereza colobus Colobus guereza (syn.C.abyssinicus)
2 Sacred Baboon Papio hamadryas
3 Olive Baboon Papio anubis
4 Gelada Theropithecus gelada
5 Grivet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops
6 Senegal Galago Galago senegalensis
7 Starck´s Hare Lepus starcki
8 Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
9 Golden Jackal Canis aureus
10 Ethiopian Wolf Canis simensis
11 Zorilla Ictonyx striatus
12 Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea
13 Ichneumon Herpestes ichneumon
14 Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
15 Aardwolf Proteles cristata
16 Common Genet Genetta genetta
17 Serval Cat Felis serval
18 Grevy's Zebra Equus grevyi
19 Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
20 Lesser Kudu Tragelaphus imberbis
21 Mountain Nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni
22 Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus (meneliki)
23 Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus
24 Salt's Dik-dik Madoqua saltiana
25 Bohor Reedbuck Redunca redunca
26 Soemmerring's Gazelle Gazella soemmerringi
27 Kongoni (Hartebeest) Alcelaphus buselaphus (swaynei)
28 Beisa Oryx Oryx beisa