ETHIOPIA

Birding the Roof of Africa

 

24 November – 22 December 2005

Leader: Christian Boix

Participants:

Josep del Hoyo, Jordi Sargatal and Dolors Buxo

 

 

Prince Ruspolis Turaco – Ethiopia´s top Royal treat

 

‘ It’s not only  that you are good and knowledgable in the field Christian!!… you have an uncanny magnetic sense for finding the harder species’ Josep del Hoyo, Dec 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Itinerary

 

November  24	Addis Ababa–Gefersa Reservoir–Mena Gesha Forest. Night in Addis
November  25	Addis Ababa–Solulta Plains-Debre Libanos. Night in Jemmu Valley
November  26	Jemmu Valley. Night in Jemmu Valley
November  27	Jemmu Valley-Debre Birhan-Ankober Escarpment. Night in Ankober
November  28	Ankober-Mhelka Gebdu- Afar plains. Night in Awash
November  29	Awash NP. Night at Bilen Lodge
November  30	Bilen Lodge-Awash NP-Nazret. Night at Langano
December  1	Langano Lake- Lake Ziway. Night in Wondo Genet
December  2	Wondo Genet. Night in Wondo Genet
December  3	Wondo Genet-Bale Mountain NP. Night in Dinsho
December  4	Dinsho-Robe-Sof Omar. Night at Ginir
December  5	Ginir – Wabi Shebele plains. Camped at Imi
December  6	Wabi Shebele plains. Camped at Imi
December  7	Imi-Ginir-Sof Omar. Camped at Sof Omar
December  8	Sof Omar-Robe. Night at Goba
December  9	Sannetti Plateau and Harrena Forest. Night at Goba
December  10	Goba- Sannetti Plateau-Harrena Forest-Genale Valley. Night in Negele
December  11	Liben Plains. Night in Negele
December  12	Negele- Wachile-Yabello.Night in Yabello
December 13	Yabello and surrrounds. Night in Yabello
December  14	Yabello-Konso-Woito-Turmi. Night in Turmi
December  15	Turmi-Fejeje. Camped at Fejeje
December  16	Fejeje- Lake Stephanie (Herbore) -Konso. Night at Konso
December  17	Konso- Arba Minch-Nechisar NP. Night at Arba Minch
December  18	Nechisar NP. Camped at Nechisar NP
December  19	Arba Minch-Awassa. Night in Awassa
December  20	Awassa. Night in Awassa
December  21	Awassa- Abjatta Shalla NP-Lake Ziway- Debre Zeit-Addis Ababa
December  22	Addis cultural visit and Debre Zeit - departure from Addis Ababa

 

Introduction

 

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

 

Ethiopia is 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 a rich assemblage of Palearctic migrants, intermingle to provide long species lists. 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 North-east 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 to many Palearctic migrant species. Thus for all birders, Ethiopia holds an intensely sexy bag of African lifers. Harming birds appears to be culturally unaccepted and the spin-offs uncanny. Birding Ziway Lake is almost frightening as you literally elbow your way past hordes of unperturbed Marabou Storks. Green Twinspots hop off your stride as you walk past them and large Greater Spotted Eagles watch you bemused as your approach ends up at the base of the very telephone pole they are perching on.

 

Ethiopia may not have large numbers of big and woolly ungulates that next door neighbours 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 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 bestowing 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 to a stupor along the lush banks of a myriad Rift valley lakes.

 

Trip Report- Highlights

 

November 24^th Gefersa Reservoir and Mena Gesha Forest:  With a delicious yet violent aftertaste of Ethiopian coffee jolting through our systems we emerged into the car park of the hotel where bins were tested and focused on a few lifers such as Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Siskin, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Dusky Turtle Dove, Fan-tailed Raven, Brown-rumped Seedeater and the simiens race of Groundscraper Thrush. Whilst weaving our way through traffic and the bustling market roads of Addis we added White-collared Pigeon (see photo below), Black-winged Lovebird, African Citril, Moorland Chat and Yellow-crowned Canary to the list. On arrival at Gefersa we were greeted by a very responsive pair of Abyssinian Catbirds, Mountain Thrush and a retreating African Black Duck with duckling in tow.

 

The first scans along the reservoir’s edge revealed good numbers of Red-knobbed Coot, Eurasian Teal, Spur-winged Plover, Ruff, Green Sandpiper and the sought after Blue-winged Goose, a few Hottentot Teal and colourful Northern Shovelers.  A leisurely walk around fringing cultivated lands and moorlands produced phenomenal numbers of Yellow Wagtails (of five different subspecies!!), the odd White Wagtail and equally obscene numbers of Red-throated Pipits and Thekla Lark. A smattering of Northern, Pied and Isabelline Wheatears flitted everywhere…including several pairs of the heavier looking and displaying Red-breasted Wheatears.  A pair of Abyssinian Longclaws stole our attention away from Josep who had been momentarily swallowed by a local drainage line but fortunately managed to keep all valuables above him and rescue himself as well.  We only found about his diving expedition a lot later when we approached him to enquire about his peculiar nude filming technique?

 

After a drip drying session in the weak sun, we continued our drive towards Mena Gesha stopping at several Acacia abyssinica forest patches racking up several good species such as Abyssinian Woodpecker (briefly), Grey-headed Woodpecker, Spotted Creeper, Brown Parisoma, Grey-headed Batis, Tacazze Sunbird, Rufous Wryneck, Ruppell’s Robin Chat and Greater Honeyguide.  The cultivated grasslands between forest patches produced Saker Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Montagu Harrier, a stunning dark morph Augur Buzzard, Eurasian Hoopoe, Grey-backed Fiscal, Erlanger’s Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Grey-rumped Swallow, Yellow-shouldered Widow, African Quailfinch and superb looking Ortolan Buntings.

We arrived at Mena Gesha with little time to spare and quickly set off on a circular route, soon halted by magnificent close up views of the local resident pair of Thick-billed Ravens  busy feeding on sheep scraps (see photo left). The walk was fairly quiet with the exception of Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, White-breasted White-eyes and mint views of Dark-headed Orioles.  Returning to the car we heard the high pings and screeches of parrots and all sundry scattered in search of a snag or a view point over the canopy… soon enough, the first Yellow-fronted Parrots were framed in and cracking scope views of this rather handsome and endemic psittacine were enjoyed by all.  As we were leaving, a bird party was met next to the road yielding an immaculate pair of White-backed Tits, Brown Woodland Warblers and a handsome pair of White-cheeked Turacos to cap the day. We returned to Addis admiring how the setting sun slowly inflamed the landscape and learning how Teff is cultivated, harvested and processed before indulging in our first meal of injera back at the hotel.

 

November 25^th Solulta Plains and Debre Libanos: Armed with knowledge and experience, the coffee was masterfully watered down to a drinkable dilution point and omelet’s ordered instead of bouncy bread and goopy jam. Satisfied and replete we bade farewell to the luxuries of Addis and headed north towards the Monastery of Debre Libanos across the Sululta Plains.  By far the most remarkable bird of the morning ought to be a single Red-chested Swallow which was foraging in a stream and kept flying up and down, allowing superb soaking views of this scarce species. Nonetheless, a lazy low flying adult Bearded Vulture kept on gate crashing the show.

 

A brief stop at an ephemeral wetland was remarkably productive adding  Black Crowned Crane, Greater Kestrel, Western Marsh Harrier, African Fish Eagle,  Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Northern Pintail, Common Snipe, over one hundred Black-tailed Godwit, huge numbers of Ruff, Common Redshank and Banded Martin to our burgeoning list. The sight was as memorable as the condition of this sighting, where one grapples to understand why Eurasian birds in Ethiopia condone our blatant and close up approach??? 

 

En route we stopped to clench a White-winged Cliff Chat (see photo right) that was calling from the roof of a derelict stone homestead. The Muketeri wetlands had little to offer and so we pressed on towards the Portuguese Bridge where, on arrival, we were instantly treated to a display of commuting raptors riding air gusts at the edge of the escarpment, these included Eurasian Honey Buzzard, Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Rueppell´s Griffon, Tawny and Steppe Eagle and Lanner Falcon.  Flocks of Nyanza Swifts kettled their way upwards from down below and several flocks of White-billed Starlings were spotted moving from fruiting tree to fruiting tree.  The stream below the Portuguese bridge yielded Mountain Wagtail, Ruppell´s Black Chat and Mocking Cliff Chat.

 

A troop of 60+ Gelada Baboons seemed unperturbed as we approached their communal grazing gathering. We watched in awe how they carefully harvest handfuls of grass blades into the palm of their hands instead of biting them off and chewing them.  But what became rather humbling, was to become tuned into their constant communicative and fascinating mutterings, for Geladas are known to have the largest communication repertoire amongst primates. Birding in the forests above the monastery was unusually slow and trickling despite managing to get good views of Mountain Buzzard, Hemprich´s Hornbill, White-rumped Babbler, Northern Puffback, Little Rock Thrush, Broad-ringed White-eye, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Blackcap, loads of White cheeked Turacos and a breeding trio of Banded Barbets coming in to roost at a cavity.

 

With dusk upon us we headed for our overnight stop near the Jemmu Valley, stopping at Muketeri for a well deserved scrumptious supper and provisions for the following days. The night drive was surprisingly short and uneventful, but on arrival at our destination we were greeted with copious amounts of freshly brewed Honey wine which was just what was needed to brave the local toilets before hitting the sack.

 

November 26^th Jemmu Valley: Before dawn we were perched on one of the magnificent hillsides that command over the impressive Jemmu Valley.  Silent, alert and ready to bounce we waited impatiently for the slightest hiss, rustle or if possible crow of the near mythical Harwood’s Francolin. But the birds were not to co-operate this morning and soon hordes of Erckel’s Francolin woke up and monopolized the air waves with their much louder and persistent calls. Whilst Jordi and Josep listened below them, Christian climbed a bit further to the next ledge and immediately recognized the distinctive alarm hiss of a Harwood’s Francolin, grappling for steadiness he encircled and pushed the covey towards the ledge, which eventually flushed over the ledge right above where he had left Josep and Jordi listening, only to discover the latter had moved on in attempt to get closer to a nearby calling bird, thus missing the overflying covey. No more Harwood’s were seen this morning but other good birds spiced up the morning namely very handsome Erckel’s Francolins, African Hobby, Senegal Coucal, Blue Rock Thrush, Redbilled (Lineated) Pytilia, Citrine Wagtail, Singing Cisticola, Tree and Plain-backed Pipit, Red-collared Widowbird, Bush Petronia and several Abyssinian Black (see photo right) and Black-eared Wheatears.

 

Down by the river, heat had build up by know and activity was low, however birding at the river below the Tamarinds still yielded Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Shikra, over 20 Senegal Thick-knees, Hamerkop, Abyssinian Roller, Black-billed Barbet, African Pygmy and Giant Kingfisher, Wire-tailed Swallow, Lesser Blue Eared Starling, Speckle Fronted Weaver, Speke’s Weaver, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Northern Crombec, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting.

 

An afternoon return to the francolin site produced a fly by view of one Harwood’s Francolin, the fly by was close but light conditions were not the best, nonetheless our efforts had paid off and although better views would have been preferred everyone agreed that enough time had been devoted to the species. Copious portions of Tibes (spiced lamb shavings with onion) on injera and gallons of beer to swallow it all down were ingested for supper.  Our beds were gladly met by our weary feet, muscles and bodies after a day scrambling in the Jemmu.

 

November 27^th Jemmu Valley and Ankober Escarpment: Soon after dawn we dropped back into the Jemmu valley and birded one of the many tributaries bearing a bit of water for the remainder of the morning.  In the early hours massive flocks of Red-billed Queleas were clearly on the move, a distant flock of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse was spotted, two Fox Kestrels lazily made their way upstream, and species such as Cut-throat, African Silverbill, Speckle fronted Weaver, Black Bishop, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Black-crowned Tchagra, Red-tailed Shrike, Common Redstart and Black-headed Batis attended the drinking pools. With an aim to reach Debre Birhan for lunch we left the Jemmu Valley fairly early and only stopped en route to film and enjoy selected sights, namely several fields replete with Eurasian Cranes, nearby perched raptors such as Tawny and Booted Eagles, a kettle of swifts that contained several Horus Swifts and some delightful rural scenes that effortlessly transported us to a medieval setting such as the plowing of fields using oxen and a roman plough, the stacks of cow dung around a homestead used either as fuel or thermal insulation, the logics governing the making of a grain hay stack, watching a family and their stock milling in circles over their harvest as they crushed and separate the grain from the hay, etc…

 

After a brief stop at Debre Birhan to stock up on basics and make some phone calls we set off to try several spots along the Ankober escarpment for the rare and elusive Ankober Serin, but as it turned out, we were extremely lucky and on arrival to the first stakeout we hit the jackpot!! With a flock of well over 300 birds busy feeding and gritting we were treated to an unprecedented chance for video, photography and soggy soaking views of this otherwise tricky endemic (see photo left)

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent leisurely following the flock and enjoying cracking views of species such as Verreaux’s Eagles scouring the ridge in search of hyraxes…and making ominous eye contact as they flew past. A very welcome Levant Sparrowhawk over our heads as we were lying down and several Eurasian Crag Martins playing in the updrafts of the cliff. The late drive to Ankober did not produce any owls, but did produce a fantastically good looking Caracal.  We stayed at King Meneliks refurbished  palace, which heralds a fantastic setting….but one we discovered needs to be merited by a long and arduous walk up a never ending rather steep hill.

 

November 28^th Mhelka Gubda and Afar Plains: With the Serin under the belt, a Cinnamon Bracken Warbler before breakfast and the lure of far birdier dryer savannas below, containment was poor and soon after wolfing down our breakfast we were pushing our way past Camels and birding the highly productive scrub around Mhelka Gebdu.  The first target succumbed remarkably easy as Christian set his scope on a flock of feeding Yellow-throated Serin, saving us the long hike to Mount Fantalle, the only other site known for this species.  Soon enough the second serin target of the morning, Yellow-rumped Seed-eater, rendered itself and offered very decent views.  Birding the cultivated banks on either sides of the stream we managed to latch onto Black-billed Wood dove, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Eastern Plantain-eater, Green Wood-hoopoe, White-headed Buffalo Weaver, Clapperton’s Francolin, Greater Whitethroat, Half-collared Kingfisher, Black Stork, and a stunning melanistic Gabar Goshawk.

 

Further down the road a Slate-colored Boubou and its grating calls pulled us out of the car and provided grand views…bird traffic lured us towards some great scrub near a recently harvested field where the first two whammy seedeaters I landed my bins on were Yellow-crowned Canary and Chestnut Sparrow, followed by N. Red-billed Hornbill, E. Yellow-billed Hornbill, Black Scimitarbill, White-browed Scrub Robin, Gray Wren Warbler, Rueppell´s Glossy Starling and further ahead Green-backed Pytilia, Violet backed Sunbird, Purple Grenadier, White-bellied Go-away Bird, White-winged Black Tit, Superb Starling (see photo right)and Orange-bellied Parrot.

 

Lunch under some Acacia tortilis allowed us to lure in some nearby calling targets like Black-throated Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Shining Sunbird and Von der Decken’s Hornbill…but I had nothing to do with the Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit flock. We were chuffed to note the time as we drove past the last settlement before the Afar plains, knowing we had ample time to attempt the crossing, everyone agreed the road ahead was clear and dry and most of the Afar had moved closer to water and mostly off the plains. Our first stop was triggered by a dainty Pygmy Falcon that posed for the camera. A flock of Black-billed Woodhoopes that flew across the road dragged us into the bush where we soon intercepted them as well as several Abyssinian Scimitarbill as well.  An overflying Yellow-billed Stork came as a bit of a surprise but less so than the lonely Lesser Spotted Eagle and Short-toed Snake Eagle above our heads. Wild Somali Ostrich strutted off our path as we tore down the track towards Fantalle volcano, several Buff-crested Bustards were spotted and eventually one that was close enough was circled and walked in for Josep and Jordi to film and enjoy.

Not far from the first volcanic outcrops we started encountering Arabian Bustards (see photo right), the first one atop a volcanic ridge, tickable but in a hurry, the second one bursting off the side of the road because we were unable to slow down fast enough, and the third one was relaxed enough to allow me to walk it in towards Josep and Jordi who enjoyed immensely and videoed this magnificent species. Not far from here a group of 6 Lappet-faced Vultures were surprised feeding on a carcass. In the afternoon we made time to bird some of the dense Acacia forests and teased out a few goodies such as Eurasian Turtle Dove, African Collared Dove, Blue-naped Mousebird, Nubian Woodpecker, Thrush Nightingale and Nightingale, Olive-tree Warbler, Rufous Chatterer, Masked Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike, Black-headed Lapwing and Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse …and you always leave feeling there is so much more that creeps and flits in those lovely thickets and dense canopies. On arrival at Awash we feasted on a king size meal of roasted chicken and chips and headed for our tranquil hotel in the outskirts where after gloating on our birding successes we slumbered effortlessly

 

November 29^th Awash NP – Bilen Lodge: Driving towards Metahara we stopped briefly to admire some Beisa Oryx and Soemmering´s Gazelle that were grazing near the road, whilst stopped here an Eastern Paradise Whydah flew in and posed for a short while.  A few kilometers down the we setup a Hyena carcass for the Vultures, attendance was good with Griffons, White-backed’s, Egyptian’s and Hooded Vultures lining up for the feast, Tawny and Lesser Spotted Eagles where also expectant and a curious Bateleur was circling above, but there was no rush on their side to see us put distance between us and the carcass, and indeed we eventually left. At Lake not much of note other than Pink-backed Pelicans, Grey-headed Gulls, and Greater Flamingoes in the distance, our main quarry was however not to be sought on water but on the sterile young lava fields surrounding the lake. It took two painful hours to locate the first individual of Sombre Rock Chat and an extra half an hour to film it and convince ourselves it was not an aberrant Blackstart. Fortunately we had filmed and observed a typical behaving Blackstart early in the morning. The afternoon was spent in Awash NP, where we concentrated our birding along the cooler thickets of the Awash River and the vast grasslands. Fires and grazing had changed considerably my memory of these grasslands and larks had become remarkably absent. In fact the park was pretty busy with Afar herds, herders and their characteristic unwelcoming nature. Nonetheless we still managed to score some pretty good looking Kori and White-bellied Bustards, several Gillett’s Larks, good looking Somali Fiscals, several active nests of Rosy-patched Bushshrikes, a Woodchat Shrike, Ashy Cisticolas, a mob of Red-fronted Warblers and the characterful Grey Wren Warbler. We retreated to the riverine thickets for lunch but these did not yield much other than Grey Flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Rueppell´s Weaver, Common Nightingale and a persistent troop of Vervet Monkeys (C.a. pygererythrus) determined to steal our picnic.

 

Outside the park en route to Bilen Lodge we came across a Greater Spotted Eagle perched next to the road, which again allowed for uncanny, close and top views of this good looking raptor. Nightjaring on foot near Bilen lodge became rather unnerving as a large pack of Spotted Hyenas approached us whilst spotlighting on foot.  As the batteries dimmed on us so did our intentions to continue birding, but not before scoring a White-tailed Mongoose to cap the day.

 

November 30^th Awash NP- Langano: An early pre-breakfast walk around the lodge produced a few good birds such as stumbling onto several Slender-tailed Nightjars roosting in the periphery of camp. A stunning male Pallid Harrier at the marsh below and an unexpected Jack Snipe that flushed from Christian’s feet. Alarm shrieks lured us onto a Gabar Goshawk that had caught a Yellow-breasted Barbet other sightings around camp included Upcher´s Warbler, Red-fronted Barbet, White-browed Coucal and African Pygmy Kingfisher. En route back to Awash we came across an alarmed Foxy Cisticola trying to chase out an Egyptian Mongoose. Nearby our first Swallow-tailed Kite was effortlessly spotted flying and feasting on a lizard and enjoyed by all and the first of many Somali Crows as well. Our first Gerenuks of the trip were spotted and thoroughly enjoyed as were several pairs of Salt’s Dik-dik.

 

On the main road to Djibouti we stopped near several goat carcasses that had been mauled by a truck and gathered a large number of vultures. We tore off the carcasses from the tar and laid them in a nearby field to avoid trucks tearing through tummy filled sluggish vultures later on the day. A Side-striped Jackal waltzed in for a bite. A quick attempt to find some larks in Awash NP before leaving for Langano produced Rufous Scrub Robin and Boran Cisticola, but no other birds worth of mention. A brief stop at a lake was rewarded with a few additions such as Little Ringed Plover, Marsh Sandpiper and Gull-billed Tern. The remainder of the afternoon was used to cover the distance between Awash and Langano which we reached in the dark.  We hauled a spotlight out and after several Starck’s Hare sightings we picked up a faint red shine, we approached it hoping it would be a Nightjar but it turned out to be an Aardvark pair coming in and out of its burrow and eventually strutting away right in front of us…elation reigned all over.  More Slender-tailed Nightjars were found and photographed and two Bat-eared Foxes capped our spotlighting endeavor.

 

December 1^st Langano - Lake Ziway and Wondo Genet: Dawn at the ridge allowed us to crack the whereabouts of a Freckled Nightjar, but no funky looking Cliff Swallows were spotted. We birded the hotel grounds extensively as the placid conditions here allowed Josep to approach and film birds at will and utter ease. Each tree in the garden was crawling with Palearctic Warblers and other goodies, most of which we had seen already yet the unbeatable relaxed views offered here were hard to pass. Eventually we wandered off into thicker scrub and rounded up a bag of new additions to the list such as Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Mosque Swallow, Red-faced Crombec, Black Redstart, White-bellied Canary, Reichenow´s Seedeater and Red-rumped Waxbill. At a nearby hotel we located a magnificently sedate Grayish Eagle Owl (see photo left) roosting in full open view and cracking views of Grey-headed Bushshrike.

 

We backtracked towards Lake Ziway where we spent most of noon glued to our scopes relentlessly teasing new trip species, lifers and great videos. The jetty was as always well attended by a large flock of Marabou Storks that will push past you on sight of any fresh scraps, the flooded grasslands were full of Black Egrets umbrella-fishing, and motionless Squacco Herons, a single Saddle-billed Stork juvenile, industrious African Spoonbills, ever alert Comb Duck, several groups of the dazzling African Pygmy Goose, Southern Pochard, a Red-chested Fluftail calling from the reeds, the gorgeous looking albeit common Black Crake,  several Lesser Jacanas- a much needed lifer by most, flocks of Collared Pratincole, Temminck´s Stint, Lesser Black-backed Gull Heuglin’s Gull, the large and impressive Great Black-headed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Caspian, Common, Whiskered, Whitewinged and superb Black Terns, and stunning flocks of Northern Carmine Bee-eaters.

 

In the afternoon a number of warblers emerged from the reed beds and flitted about on rising clouds of mozzies…several Great Reeds, Eurasian Sedge Warblers and glimpses of Eurasian Reed/Marsh warblers were present, but our surprise climaxed when after some chasing and playback efforts a Basra Reed Warbler hopped out and perched several times on a leaning reed to preen and drink, in relatively good light, clear view and barely 5m away. We were having such a ball that leaving this place was only achieved on condition to return back on our way back to Addis at the end of the trip and with an enticing change of plan to head straight for Wondo Genet rather than Awassa. We reached Wondo Genet in the dark, had supper and went to bed lulled by a calling Wood Owl.

 

December 2^nd Wondo Genet: The excitement to try a new habitat, namely Hagenia and Juniper forest and its entourage of specials was palpable and undelayed.  Above the hotel a Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk was seen soaring and Silvery-cheeked Hornbills fed noisily on nearby fig trees. Our first target of the morning, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, was soon bagged along forest tracks.  A stunning pair of Narina Trogons complied to Joseps videoing requests. More Yellow-fronted Parrots, Brown Saw-wings, dainty Blue spotted Wood doves, Black and White Mannikins and Fawn-breasted Waxbills were seen near the hot springs and old quarry. 

 

After breakfast we hiked up to higher reaches where deciduous and indigenous Hagenia forests abound. On arrival we latched on to a double whammy Cuckoo-shrike bonanza Grey and Red-shouldered. Tambourine and Lemon Dove were traipsing ahead of us on the path. Small bird parties containing Spotted Creeper, Broad-ringed White-eyes, Abyssinian Flycatcher, Cardinal Woodpeckers and Grey Woodpeckers  kept us busy, as we scanned for the smaller and easier to miss Abyssinian Woodpecker.  We teased from thickets several Abyssinian Hill Babblers and got lucky with a flock of Sharpe’s Starlings feeding below the trail.

 

Troops of Guereza Colobus, support the diet of Crowned Hawk Eagles in this area, and these were easily enticed to the wing by crying out their repetitive call.  Another worthy sighting for the morning was an adult Ayre´s Hawk Eagle soaring above the forest. At the end of the trail we called up a Double-toothed Barbet and Scaly Francolins scurried and called in the undergrowth but never showed themselves. Joseps’ videoing persistence with the barbet paid off as he locked onto the soft tappings of what turned out to be the best bird of the day…an adult male Abyssinian Woodpecker carving out its nest. Unbeatable scope views and video footage were obtained and we all left the mountain well satisfied. Having seen pretty much everything we hoped to see here, we indulged on a lazy afternoon at the thermal pools/baths below the hotel.  Supper was early in preparation of the following days’ long drive.

 

December 3^rd Wondo Genet – Bale Mountains NP: The day started with a stunning Black Sparrowhawk perched on a tree outside Wondo Genet.  Several stops en route to try for Abyssinian Long eared Owl proved fruitless. Compound harvesters were at work throughout the plateau, many Montagu’s Harriers, one Saker Falcon and flocks of European Bee-eaters were seen throughout the drive. The only morning highlight was a flushed home-less Common Quail which managed to scurry and melt into an eye of unharvested wheat. As we climbed the last reaches of the plateau through impressively old and mature Juniper woodlands the welcoming contour of the Bale highlands became our horizon. Whilst having our lunch with the obligate mob of herding children, Solomon managed to entice some to tell us about the birds in the area, as it turned out the ledge we had chosen to picnic at hid two Cape Eagle Owls barely 5m away from where we were eating. Two, possibly three, black slender billed crows were seen flying in the distance, these were most likely Red-billed Choughs, but were not called out thinking we would see more and because we were busy videoing the perched owl.

We spent most of the afternoon traipsing through the moorland flats at the entrance of Bale Mountains NP.  A small wetland held good numbers of Blue-winged Goose (see photo left) which in the soft afternoon light looked stunning. The reeds around the wetland held Rufous-winged Cisticola and flocks of Abyssinian Siskin coming in to drink, a pair of Abyssinian Longclaws scoured the grassy tussocks in search of anything to tuck into, whilst a flock of about 50 Spot-breasted Lapwing fed on the surrounding cropped grass plains.  Approaching them was not easy and took it took Josep a fair while to get them used to him, but the approach paid off and he got his footage and the trips first sighting of Golden Eagle. 

 

Not far from here Jordi and I feasted our eyes on a relaxed herd of 50 strong Mountain Nyala grazing placidly, with a strong looking adult male chasing a female which was very obviously in oestrous.  Several kneeled Warthogs were feeding across the plain, Bohor Reedbuck as well and a few stunning Meneliks Bushbuck were seen on the higher slopes. Josep and Solomon caught the first sight of a loping Simien Fox through the meadows whilst Jordi and myself instead watched the wanderings and meanderings of a Golden Jackal through the plains as it scared off scurrying Grooved Tooth, and, Giant Root Rats.

 

Walking and scanning the roadside tenaciously we eventually cracked both targeted francolins in the area, first the large and bulky Chestnut-naped and next the smaller and delicately marked Moorland Francolin. At one point, 6 Rouget’s Rails were seen feeding on the wide open stretch of road ahead of us (see photo right), living up to their shy-less reputation. The day ended up surprisingly with the nicest tibes supper I recall in Ethiopia and loads of warm and comforting Cinnamon and clove tea before we headed for the nearby Dinsho headquarters to spend the night. 

 

December 4^th Dinsho and Sof Omar: We awoke in a rather different thermal environment to what we had been experiencing thus far, an icy breeze, crisp, clean, cold skies and freezing wet dew all over the place. During a brisk walk we came across the usual Dinsho specials Abyssinian Catbird, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White-backed Black Tit, Stout Cisticola and another Mountain Buzzard. A humongous flock of Wattled Ibis forced us to stop and admire these smart looking species again.  We grabbed breakfast in Goba, where we had the chance to chat to some USAid engineers that had driven from Imi and were loaded with useful and fresh gen for the areas we were hoping to reach. Loaded with food and fuel we headed without delay towards Sof Omar, where we would spend the remainder of the day birding.  En route we enjoyed superb views of a Black-breasted Snake Eagle sunning on top of a fig tree, and a pair of Bristle-crowned Starlings attending a cattle herd.

 

By the time we reached Sof Omar it was already warm, nonetheless it was unusually green and the valley lingered cool for most of the mornings remainder. The first clear Somali or Dodson’s Bulbul were spotted and enjoyed, a very cooperative Somali Tit was called in and gave Josep ample chance to film it and enjoy it. Further along the valley we came across a flock of Crimson-rumped Waxbill feeding on some flowering asters, but as we were watching them, a short and fleeting glimpse of a Serin taking off and leaving us for good left us feeling rather hollow, a prolonged stay yielded no further views of the serin but added Northern Brownbul and Brown-tailed Chat to our list. We birded adjacent areas and picked up other new species for the trip such as Mottled Swift, Rufous-crowned Roller, Red-headed Weaver, White Helmetshrike and Black-headed Oriole.  A second visit to the flowering asters was well rewarded with a flock of 10 Salvadori´s Serin (see photo right) feeding placidly 2-3m away from us and allowing for top and prolonged views of this smart looking seed eater. With a few hours of daylight to spare we headed towards Ginir our overnight town, but were terribly delayed by a series of time consuming sightings along the way, namely, Chestnut Weaver, East Chanting Goshawk, Red and Yellow Barbet, Six gob smacking beautiful and close Golden-breasted Starlings and a glowing flock of Vulturine Guineafowl. At Ginir we found very cozy and clean accommodation at the local school residence and the normal standard menu, a lively bar lady, cold beer and the excitement of starting an exploratory recce of an area that has been very poorly birded to date, the Wabi Shebele IBA.

 

December 5^th Ginir – Imi : Leaving Ginir a troop of Hammadryas Baboons and a large flock of Red-winged Starlings made us stop, and on closer examination found a few smaller and slender very welcome Somali Starlings. Several good looking Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes got us out of the car and we subsequently got drawn to the haunting calls of Grey-headed Bushshrike nearby which Christian whistled out into full view for Josep to film for posterity.  A stop to film a colony of Black-capped Social Weaver got us onto a very complacent D’Arnauds Barbet. The long and bumpy road to Imi was not very exciting albeit spiced by large caravans of good looking camels and colorful dressed Somali refugees. The few obligate stops needed to alleviate ourselves generated Pygmy Batis, a flock of resting Scaly Chattterer, an aberrant form of White-bellied Canary and our first Somali Crombec.

 

A stop to video Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, drew our attention to a flock of seedeaters feeding at the edge of the same a field, on approach we discovered that the ground was crawling with fine looking Straw-tailed Whydahs, two unexpected yet very welcome additions to the feeding flock were a stonkingly good looking adult male Northern Grosbeak Canary and the colorful Somali Bunting (see photo right). The place was a hub of activity and we scored excellent views of many species we had already seen but were glad to see again, nonetheless, by the time we had lunch we had added another three new species to the list, Three-streaked Tchagra, African Bare-eyed Thrush and Red-backed Scrub Robin. The afternoon drive was hasted up slightly by deceasing light conditions, this was a pity because we did cross several well wooded wadis that looked mighty productive, but the option of driving at night was not alluring at all. 

 

Nonetheless we scored superb views of an adult trio of Egyptian Vultures perched, a pair African Hawk Eagles enjoying the last rays of lights, a busy flock of Somali Coursers and several flocks of the strange looking White-crowned Starling. We got into Imi a few minutes after dark and were warmly welcomed to camp inside the military base. A jovial meal at a nearby restaurant ensued and provided some lively chat with the locals, which allowed us to identify a character that seemed to know the area well enough and claimed to know what a Bustard looks like and where to go looking for them…Heuglin’s and Little Brown that is.  As it turned out he only really knew the area and not much else.

 

December 6^th Wabi Shebele Plains : A windy and rather uncomfortable night helped us get off bed the following morning, birding in the military provided a sought out lifer, Parrot-billed Sparrow which most of us needed as well as the best opportunities to film and photograph White-crowned Starlings and Chestnut Weavers. Without delay we set-off in search of bustards, but a whole morning walking, yielded but four Buff-crested Bustards and perhaps a far off Heuglin’s calling.  The first good find for the morning was a full breeding color Hunter’s Sunbird at a derelict settlement.  Some more Somali Coursers got us out of the car and stumble upon a cryptic Double-banded Courser and further on a grand looking pair of Black-faced Sandgrouse. Traffic towards a water-filled pan got us better views of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-lark and mixed flocks of Cut-throat Finch and Silverbill.  Nearby we spotted a very obliging pair of Taita Fiscals.

The rest of the morning was spent walking some scrub where densities where relatively low but held a bag of highly desirable species which we indulged on looking and enjoying for long periods of time, namely, a flock of Somali Bee-eaters (see photo left), several more Somali Crombec, and two pairs of Yellow-vented Eremomelas. The afternoon was devoted to track down Whitewinged Collared Dove, which proved to be fairly easy near the river, and in no time we had enjoyed half a dozen of them. A Giant Eagle Owl spiced up the afternoon and after a Gillett’s Lark we called it a day.

 

December 7^th Imi – Sof Omar: Today was very much a traveling day and our main concern was to get back to Sof Omar in time to set up camp to spend the night.  En route, we came across some additions, such as an immature Martial Eagle and a roosting Spotted Thick-knee, very close looks of Black-faced Sandgrouse and pretty much the same species bag we had seen coming down and staying at Imi. The campsite at Sof Omar did yield two owls, African Scops and Pearl-spotted Owl before we went to bed.

 

December 8^th Sof Omar – Goba : This day was treated pretty much as a rest day, we all swam and refreshed ourselves at the Sof Omar river, watched the locals load their donkeys with water and the ladies cackle whilst laundering clothes and washing their babies. Sof Omar’s setting and ruralness is remarkable and unforgettable and in many ways epitomizes my understanding of life in most of Ethiopia, so sitting in a rock and watching life tick by the river felt unbelievably good to all of us.  Bristle-crowned Starlings fed busily at a large fig above the caves entrance, whilst a peculiar looking morph of Rock Hyrax sunned in the rocks below it.  Before we left we located another flock of Salvadori´s Serin not far from the first flock had been found a few days before.

 

The drive back to Goba brought no additions to the trip list, everyone was glad to get back to the hotel grab a warm shower, have a decent meal and do the list.  After supper we drove around and managed to locate a few calling Montane Nightjars which did not took long to track down and enjoy good looks of. A funny calling Wood Owl turned out to be just that…not a Long Eared as I would have liked to.

 

December 9^th Sannetti Plateau and Harrena Forest: Today was Jordi’s last day with us, and his last chance to see Simien Fox. The climb up the plateau offered several close up views at a suite of species we had already enjoyed  such as Rouget’s Rail, Chestnut-naped Francolin and Moorland Francolin.  The open water eyes on the grey mossy moorlands were attended by flocks of Pintail Duck and Blue-winged Goose.  Persistent scanning produced a distant pair of Wattled Cranes, which were carefully approached and peacefully enjoyed as they went about their feeding unperturbed by our presence.

 

As we resumed driving, the first Simien Fox of the day made its appearance, Jordi soaked in every move and could hardly contain his excitement as we all watched in awe every step and move of this good looking canid. Indeed, there is a characteristic magic attached to observing this large and bouncy canid, lope through the moorlands, stopping and wheeling around with its nose stuck to a burrow and watch its ears at work after mice and moles... Simien Foxes are without a doubt a trademark of Ethiopia, and luck was on our side as this one turned out to be the first of six we were about to seen this day.

 

The crossing of the Plateau is always spectacular and just as good... is dipping into the lush and magnificent Harrena Forest. By stopping and playing at selected spots along the road as we descended the plateau we finally enticed a Singing Cisticola into view. The first Juniper woodlands were humming with warbler parties and in no time we managed to bag several E. Bonelli´s Warbler, Brown Woodland Warbler, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Dusky Flycatcher, more White-backed Tits and yet again grand views of Abyssinian Woodpecker, this time feeding at eye level. A clicking African Goshawk circled above us.

 

Last years GPS reading proved critical to sight our next target, Abyssinian Crimsonwing which took a quick recovery of purpose and composure, after we had been arrested by a noisy and immaculate troop of Guereza Colobus leaping between trees. The crimsonwings flitted through dense undergrowth but at one stage started foraging on a set of tree creepers, in full view for all to enjoy.

 

Our return to Goba was rewarded with close up views of Ruddy Shelduck, several Simien Foxes on the trot and a stunning Starck’s Hare hunched up next to the road, which is believed to be an ice-age isolate of Eurasian Hare.  Lunch at Tullu Demptu, the highest peak in Bale, not only provided breath-taking scenery but also good views of Bearded Vultures and Greater Spotted Eagles soaring by. Leaving the plateau we came across so many Simien Foxes, it literally felts as if we were being escorted out.  Back at the hotel, Dolors (Joseps wife) joined us and together we all bid farewell to Jordi who the following morning would start his return home.

 

December 10^th Sannetti Plateau – Harrena Forest – Genale valley - Negele: It did not take long to become fully aware of which day it was today…this day often is the one most guides fantasize or dread, the first chance at Prince Ruspolis Turaco a critical iconic species no one wants to consider missing. The pressure to locate and show Simien Fox to Dolors was also back a second day in a row, but we were lucky AGAIN and within minutes of reaching the Plateau we bumped into a good looking male warming up in the sun (see photo below).  A total tally of eight individuals ensued, including a pack of four pups and sub-adults playing and rolling about in the grass.

On entering the Harrena Forest our first flock of Slender-billed Starlings flew over us and perched on a Hagenia nearby, the light was bad for filming but the scopes revealed all that was necessary to tick this slim looking starling.  A water point next to the road turned out to be rather entertaining as we watched a large troop of Olive Baboons come down to drink and watched the dominant male strut proudly the edge of the water. A Lesser Kudu, Common Duiker and a Bushbuck came into drink as we watched.

 

During lunch we were drawn towards a moving flock of Golden-breasted Starlings and whilst trying to get improved video footage found a few Shelley’s Starling amongst them. Other interesting birds in the vicinity included Red and Yellow Barbet, Croaking Cisticola, Village Indigobird, and spotted on the following driving leg Long-legged Buzzard and Brown Snake Eagle. At the top of the Genale Valley we walked a few good looking streams in search of Prince Ruspolis Turaco but could not find any fruiting trees or birds moving, a small troop of pale looking Vervet monkeys turned out to be Christian’s first ever sighting of Grivets Monkey (C.a. aethiops).

 

Not far from here Solomon slowed down and pointed out a fruiting fig tree where he had last seen a Turaco over a year ago…as we all looked towards the tree, we all immediately locked onto a familiar green moving shape within the tree and pandemonium broke loose as everyone tried to burst out the car as quickly as possible. Right above our heads, barely four meters  up, a pair of Prince Ruspolis Turacos gorged themselves in figs unperturbed by our comical behavior, watching how a battery of scopes, digital cameras, bins, video cameras and the obligatory mob of local kids gathered below and trained all their attention towards them.  Nothing seemed to worry the birds which preened, sunned, fed, chased each other, perched motionless digesting and posed elegantly on every conceivable posture, allowing them to be photographed at will. I personally still struggle to believe our luck, how better looking it was than the illustration and again how placid and confidingly it behaved.  Before the birds flew off to a nearby fig, we were further treated to a mating display by pair of Grey Kestrels (see photo below)and a pair of loud calling Spotted Palm Thrushes seemingly willing to impress the crowd.

 

Nothing new was added in the twilight as we approached Genale, the long driving day had turned up some fantastically juicy rewards, supper was well utilized to take stock of what had been seen thus far, what was still needed and decide how worth would be to devote two traveling days and one birding day for Degodi Lark ( since we had pretty much cleaned up on all other potential species on offer in Bogol Manyo) the decision was unanimous, skip the lark and use the time thrashing for Heuglin’s Bustard in Fejeje.

 

December 11^th Liben Plains : In the early morning we headed out to the Liben Plains in search of the Endangered Sidamo Lark, a congener to South Africa’s Rudd’s Lark, and another quasi mythical milestones of any Ethiopian birding trip. En route to the plains we stopped briefly to check some seed-eaters which turned out to be Reichard´s Seed-eaters and before we got back into the car a pair of Temminck´s Coursers. Not far from here at a very large fruiting Fig-tree we spotted Bruce’s Green Pigeon feeding, and on approach found one nesting.

 

At the Liben plains the wind was blowing hard, making it very hard to identify anything flushed, as it would get catapulted away from us within seconds, nonetheless a few brave Zitting Cisticolas, Pectoral-patch Cisticola managed to cling on to the grassy perches long enough to be identified. Likewise several Plain-backed Pipits….but no signs of any larks yet.  Whilst changing fields we cut across some settlements, the thorny corals made of scrubby acacia bushes, offered protection to several Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow nesting pairs.

 

As the morning progressed the wind died down slightly, large flocks of Lesser Kestrel, several Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers and one lonely White-headed Vulture scouted the grasslands as we moved a line of people through the grassland. Eventually after a few kilometers of fruitless walking, Christian spotted a Heteromirafra looking bird scurrying ahead of him, alas….after two short flights and a half hearted retreat attempt, this Sidamo Lark  found a shadowy tussock, hunkered itself down and allowed us to savor it and the moment in all its glory (see photo above).

With Negele so close we returned for lunch and came back to the plains in the afternoon, the first bird to meet us at the plains was a male Hartlaub’s Bustard, a bird that had somewhat avoided us in Awash. We enjoyed watching the bird play hide and seek in the tall grass and literally melt into oblivion in front of us. A large flock of Somali Short-toed Larks kept Josep busy for most of the afternoon, and his patient approach rewarded him with what most certainly must be the world best study documentary on the species.  Leaving the field where the short-toeds where we flushed two Foxy Larks as well.

 

We were drawn towards a water pan teeming with waterfowl where we teased out a few additions such as Tufted Duck and Curlew Sandpiper. It was however mesmerizing to watch how the soft light bounced off the water, birds, water fetching woman and their clay pots and dusty herds of cattle coming in to drink. Nightjaring on the way back was thwarted by the wind again, so we gave up on the idea and headed back for supper.

 

December 12^th Negele –Yabello : The drive through to Yabello was slow and bumpy, but fortunately through very stunning countryside, hilly, covered in good bush, not so populated and relatively deserted and dotted with radiant Coral trees in bloom.  Several Salt’s and our first Guenther’s Dik- Diks were seen along the road, as well as bulleting Unstriped Ground Squirrels crossing the tracks. A short walk along the banks of the river yielded the two best birds of the morning a pair of Short-billed Crombec and a stunning Black-bellied Sunbird male.  Christian who reached the Juba Weaver colony, sadly was not active, got a sighting of a Green-backed Eremomela.

 

Closer to Yabello we spent some time thrashing about some good looking bush and after a bit of spishing and whistling owl imitations we managed to concentrate a respectable mob that contained some very delectable additions such as Banded Parisoma, Pringle´s Puffback and Pale Flycatcher. Pale Prinia was easily snatched closer to the road and in some barren fields, mixed amongst large flocks of Dark-capped Social Weavers we got our first views of Grey-headed Social Weaver. Our first White-tailed Swallow stakeout produced a single very far and flying individual which no one was prepared to tick, but were somewhat rewarded by a close flock of feeding Northern Whitebellied Bustards.

 

The day ended on a high note as we spent wrapped up the drive, with Yabello on sight and a group of Stress man’s Bush-crows perched next to the road, with their bizarre entourage of Splendid Starlings, most atypical vocalizations and  hundreds of their double storey nests dotted throughout.  The light was dying on us but a plan was made to come back to the site and spend some long quality time with them if the swallows were kind to us and allowed us to take the afternoon free.

 

December 13^th Yabello Plains: The swallows were not just kind; they were prompt, timely and highly rewarding. After some searching around Yabello in likely habitat we drove south towards the town of Mega where a wealth of stakeouts is known to dot the town. However senses where sharpened as a funny looking pair of swallows were seen briefly fly around the mosque at Dubluk.  Shortly after a pair was seen flying next to the car, scouting a drainage line, possibly in search of a suitable nesting site.  The birds were fast and easily disappeared from sight, and return in a blink.  They appeared particularly interested on an Aardvark burrow at the base of a termite hill, and a nearby wire provided the perfect perch for our filming and photographing efforts. 

 

Before parting the area we spotted a Secretarybird, and not far from here at some well grazed grassland we lucked onto a single Collared Lark and a large flock of Short-tailed Lark, unfortunately Josep’s camera packed up without warning. So feeling the heat and the frustration we returned to Dubluk, grabbed some lunch and headed back to Yabello to fetch Josep’s back-up camera. The afternoon was spent as planned walking with several flocks of Stresseman’s Bush Crows, and indeed the experience was well worth it as we had a chance to film, photograph and document some fascinating interactions and feeding techniques (see photo right).  The only other bird worth mentioning would be a small flock of Grey-headed Silverbills.

 

Our time with the bush crows flew by, unlike Solomon’s who took it upon himself to distract a half-nut local which was determined to follow us and spoil our filming efforts. By the time we got back, Solomon was truly at the edge of a manic-depression and ready to throttle the local chatter-box.  But he spared him…and instead we all went to some nearby plains and waited for night to settle. Armed with spotlights we racked up a few nightjars as we drove back to Yabello. First, the drab and never more aptly named Plain Nightjar which sat beautifully under the light, followed by a good looking Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar.  Some playback got a Northern White faced Owl calling back, but instead of coming closer it flew off and became increasingly more silent.  Closer to Yabello the familiar repetitive calls of a Three-banded Courser were heard, the bird was on the wing marking territory, so we positioned ourselves and played a few calls back, almost instantly we saw a courser barreling in and trained the spotlight on it causing it to stall in mid-air for a few seconds showing its distinct breast and facial pattern but not landing, and instead flying off and not returning despite our taping attempts.  Nevertheless both Josep and I knew that the curse of his African bogey bird was over, he had seen it and heard it well enough to tick it, and better views would soon follow…as it usually happens (…and indeed happened!!).

 

December 14^th Yabello – Turmi: The aim today was to reach the shores of Lake Stephanie and set ourselves ready for an early start the following day.  No updated or reliable information exists for the whereabouts of Heuglin’s Bustard and we were expecting to have to do a fair bit of driving searching and asking. As we drove westwards the terrain became dryer and rugged, entire mountain slopes had been terraced in order to allow crops to be grown in brittle and weathered slopes. Later we learned that the formidable terracing craftsmanship is actually endemic to the Konso people.

 

Before Woito Josep was startled by a flash of color next to the road and to our utter surprise the culprit happened to be a Black-necked Weaver, which felt utterly out of place in that barren, dry and dusty environment. Several more Parrot-billed Sparrows and breeding Little Weavers abounded in Woito’s rest stop, and large flocks of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters sallied next to Lake Stephanie. We reached the camp at Turmi in the late afternoon and decided to take a brisk walk through some adjacent Acacia woodland before sunset adding Bearded Woodpecker, Beautiful Sunbird, White-billed Buffalo Weaver and White-winged Widowbird to the list.  But without a doubt the best bird of the day was a Northern White-faced Owl roosting above our tents (see photo right).

 

 

 

December 15^th Fejeje : The drive to Fejeje was rugged and worrying to say the least, the track showed serious signs of deterioration all along as thorny vegetation was busy grooving over and on it, even the locals and their goat herds had already opted for clearer routes next to the track, but most worrying was the fact that the landscape was covered in a small, dense thorny scrubland, a bit like a shoulder height mini bush encroached desert….where a bird as a large as Heuglin’s Bustard felt a bit out of place.  Although the place was crawling with the smaller Buff-crested Bustard of which we must have seen well over 40 individuals, no Heuglin’s were seen or heard, and in fact we all thought that with so much Buff-crested around competition for a larger Bustard should be rife and thus chances of seeing one started dimming.

 

Birding along the dry river courses was good, but the exciting species cropped out in the scrublands.  Large numbers of Pink-breasted Lark where seen throughout the day, a single pair of Brown-rumped Buntings and as previously predicted Three-banded Coursers, and not just one but four roosting.

 

After giving it all we had through these Buff-crested infested scrublands, we decided to return to Fejeje and set camp.  At night gathered around a campfire, our best discovery came about…. our camp guard recognized Heuglin’s Bustard from the guide’s plates, furthermore stood up to a grueling and rather rigorous cross examination, which ended having us (Josep and I) convinced he knew what he was talking about…but perhaps most refreshing was that he agreed that the area we had visited today was to scrubby for Heuglin’s and that the bird in question was not uncommon in some fallow lands nearby.  With this injection of hope we sipped our last tea and went to bed to lick all our scratched and ailing limbs.

 

December 16^th Turmi – Herbore – Konso : Shortly after dawn we set on foot over the nearby hills into a matrix of low cropped graze lands, fallow lands and corralled croplands very unlike the wilder habitats we’d traipsed the day before. Not even an hour after we’d started, minutes after we had just spread out on a wide line, a single female Heuglin’s Bustard flushed under our noses sounding a hollow “who-hoof” and beating her wings hard and deep to gain height….she flew over the hill and left us bellowing excitement out of every pore.  The remainder of the morning we searched every valley and crop margin for more, but although we came across plenty fresh tracks…we were not able to flush or see another one. Slight consolation came in the form of very close looks of an active mob of Somali Dwarf Mongooses sunning and allopreening near a termitaria and several good looks at Kirk´s Dik-Dik. The rest of the day was spent getting back to camp, packing it up and driving back to Konso, where we spent the night before heading off to Nechisar NP.

 

December 17^th Konso – Arba Minch – Nechisar NP: The drive to Arba Minch was not very birdy, road grading and construction machinery where all out and looking busy.  The National Dance and Folklore Festival was threatening to draw in both the President and the King for the weekend and the local constituencies clearly needed to look engaged on grand scale projects. After settling into our rooms and ordering an insane (although delicious) portion of food for lunch we set off for an afternoon drive at Nechisar NP. The entrance to Nechisar is undeniably magnificent; both the winding tracks though the lush, cool and inviting Fig forests as well as the creeping tracks by the edge of Lake. The afternoon shimmering like over the lake and its outcropping islets was both memorable and breathtaking.  Laagers of Hippopotamus and Crocodile were visible from our vantage point including Saddle-billed and Yellow-billed Storks working the lake’s edge. The dense scrub in the higher valleys held good numbers of Striped Kingfisher, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Icterine Warbler and ground feeding flocks of Jameson’s Firefinch. Nechisar’s extensive and famous grasslands were good to find Flappet Lark, Red-pate and Desert Cisticola, Secretarybird and Grey-backed Fiscal the trade-off however was getting covered in pepper ticks.

 

Leaving the park we witnessed a crazy “Faranji” playing Tarzan in one of the lakes, this swimmer who had obviously chosen to ignore all warnings had gone for a swim out in the lake but on his return to shore found himself sandwiched between a laager of Hippos that had moved in, and a battery of very large crocodiles waiting for drinking game to come down to the shore.  Miraculously the guy made it to the shore through a clear gap; we simply drove off stunned by its stupidity.

 

December 18^th Nechisar NP: Not keen on camping, Dolors stayed behind at the hotel and enjoyed the festivities going on at Arba Minch. Josep and I left headed into Nechisar NP and specifically towards King Meneliks campsite in the Fig Forest, a habitat we had not tried yet on the and were eager to check what it held. Calling and darting by the small stream we parked next to were Half-collared Kingfishers. In the fringing tangles a calling Red-capped Robin Chat gave itself away, noisy Yellowbill weaved their way up creeper tangles, Broad-billed Rollers hawked above the canopy, and an unexpected bird party loaded with Yellow White-eyes ceded the better bird of the morning, a pair of White-breasted Cuckoo shrikes which we had ample chance to look and follow for quite a while.

 

As the morning progressed we birded the ecotone between the fig forest and adjacent savanna woodland this proved to be highly productive and got us good views of Tambourine Dove, a Heuglin’s Robin-chat hopping along the path, Lesser Masked and Speke’s Weaver, grand views of Slate-colored Boubou, and the chance to track down a Scaly-throated Honeyguide that was calling and shifting between perches, incessantly. Back in moister woodland we found Narina Trogon, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Lesser Honeyguide, Mountain Wagtail and Collared Sunbird.

 

We used the heat of the day to reach our designated camping spot and set up camp.

Soon after we left on a drive for the remainder of the afternoon, we had to drop some malarial pills with some park rangers and the detour was well worth it as we flushed off the road the one and only White-tailed Lark of the trip.  From here on, we drove through the plateau stopping at diverse habitats where the more attractive species seen include Barefaced Go-Away Bird, Nubian Woodpecker, Northern Puffback, Lesser Striped Swallow, Northern Black Flycatcher, Marico Sunbird and African Firefinch, yet a Green-backed Honeyguide was the most wanted and exciting addition during of the afternoon.

 

We waited until darkness set on us and then drove back to camp spotlighting. The first nightjar spotted was a Freckled Nightjar; thereon a smattering of Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjars, a Kori Bustard, Barn Owl, Marsh Owl and a Grayish Eagle Owl.  Mammal wise we had cracking views of Serval, Grant’s gazelle and Senegal Galago (G.s.dunni).

 

December 19^th Nechisar NP– Awassa: Finding a quiet spot to sit and think around camp in the early morning hours became a challenge as the area had become a communal roost for Slendertailed Nightjars, everywhere we crept a bird or two would get disturbed. After exiting the park and collecting Dolors and our belongings we headed for Awassa stopping en route at a marshy area for a perched Long-crested Eagle and later yielding Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Egret, Little Sparrowhawk and Red-faced Cisticolas. A slight headache was bothering Josep, but did not stop him from birding Awassa lake for the remainder of the afternoon.  The light was excellent and a plethora of videoing opportunities arose as we walked and scanned both banks of the banks, in the muddy grasslands near town and flooded reed beds of the lake. Working like a well greased tandem Solomon and myself spotted and directed Josep back and forth from one new species to the next, managing to add 13 new videos to the list, whilst species wise we managed to rack up some additions such as White-backed Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Garganey, Great Reed Warbler, Savi´s Warbler, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Black Bishop females, and as dusk set in, a pair of Sooty Falcons flying past.  With no light left to bird with we retreated to the hotel and went out for Pizza at a rather lively and popular meals restaurant.

 

December 20^th Awassa: Josep’s headache had not vanished and in fact his night had been marred with cold shivers and hot sweats, fearing he had picked up malaria we quickly took him to a local practitioner. The tests denied malaria but pointed out towards early stages of Typhoid, rest and some medication was prescribed and Josep spent the day resting at the hotel whilst Dolors and myself did some sightseeing in Awassa, some laundry, caught up with trip notes and whilst keeping company to Josep studied and trimmed Josep’s life list and planned a series of combo trips to several African destinations…by far the medicine to “perk” up any birder.  By the end of the day Josep was already showing signs of recovery and his humor was back in full swing.

 

December 21^st Awassa Fish Market - Lake Ziway and Abjatta Shalla: The day started at the famous and bustling Awassa Fish Market (see photo below) where you get greeted by hordes of Thick-billed Raven, some hungry squabbling for fish scraps and other power freaks defending their status over an old piece of dry, tanned, fish skin….all of them equally photogenic.  Shouldering your way past semi-oblivious Marabou Storks is required to reach the fish boats which are shadowed by a mixed cloud of dripping and squawking gulls and terns. The cacophony and activity is such, one needs to get out and come back to reset ones ears and brains. But, because birds here are so focused on the frenzy one can approach and study at close quarters species like Great Black-headed Gull, Heuglin’s Gull or Gull-billed Tern. Large flocks of Violet-backed Starling worked the fruiting fig trees above us and a nearby lake inlet provided great light and a wide array of waterfowl species to video, particularly interesting for the trip were Fulvous Whistling Duck, Redbilled Teal and Blue-headed Coucal. We left Awassa mid morning and headed for Abjatta Shalla hoping to get second views of Clapperton’s Francolin but all we flushed were hundreds of Crested Francolins.  We did however get better looks of Black Scimitarbill, White-winged Black Tit and Lesser Flamingo.

 

After lunch we introduced Dolors briefly to Lake Ziway, where a few more species were added to Josep’s video list, but none to the trip list.  Returning to Addis the only remarkable sight was a field filled with White Storks and several strings of Eurasian Cranes flying over them. Back and safe in the comforts of Addis, we settled into our rooms and celebrated this highly successful tour with a grand meal and going once more over the staggering totals of species seen, videoed and ticked. Plans to meet back in Barcelona over the Xmas period were done and farewells were dished out, since Christian had a midnight flight to pick up.

 

December 22^nd Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit: A late flight departure gave Josep and Dolors the chance of doing some sightseeing in Addis. They opted to visit the Ethnological Museum where Lucy’s skull is lodged, a pair of Abyssinian Black Mane Lions at the Zoo and a short visit to the nearby marshes of Debre Zeit where Josep got better views of Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark. Later they were transferred to the airport and left without delay.

 

Jordi and Josep filming Wattled Cranes in Bale Highlands…

the epitomy of happiness, friendship and

climaxed lifetime fulfillment.

 

 

BIRD LIST

This list includes all the bird species that were recorded by at least one of us. Note that this is a group list. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow: Clements, James F. 2000. Birds of the World: A Checklist. Fifth Edition. Vista, CA: Ibis Publishing Co.

 

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  Striated Heron Butorides striatus

20  Hamerkop Scopus umbretta

21  Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis

22  Black Stork Ciconia nigra

23  White Stork Ciconia ciconia

24  Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

25  Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus

26  Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus

27  Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash

28 e Wattled Ibis Bostrychia carunculata

29  Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

30  African Spoonbill Platalea alba

31  Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

32  Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor

33  Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor

34  White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata

35  White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus

36 E Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus

37  Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus

38  Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

39  Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis

40  Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos

41  African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus

42  African Black Duck Anas sparsa

43  Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

44  Eurasian Teal Anas crecca

45  Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata

46  Northern Pintail Anas acuta

47  Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha

48  Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota

49  Garganey Anas querquedula

50  Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

51  Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma

52  Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

53  European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus

54  Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

55  Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii

56  Black Kite Milvus migrans

57  African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer

58  Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus

59  Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus

60  Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

61  White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus

62  Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii

63  Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus

64  White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis

65  Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

66  Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis

67  Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus

68  Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus

69  Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus

70  African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus

71  Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus

72  Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

73  African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

74  Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates

75  Eastern Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus

76  Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar

77  African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro

78  Shikra Accipiter badius

79  Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes

80  Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus

81  Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris

82  Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus

83  Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus

84  Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus

85  Augur Buzzard Buteo augur

86  Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina

87  Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga

88  Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax

89  Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis

90  Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi

91  Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

92  Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii

93  African Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster

94  Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus

95  Ayres' Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii

96  Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus

97  Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis

98  Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus

99  Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius

100  Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus

101  Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

102  Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

103  Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides

104  Fox Kestrel Falco alopex

105  Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus

106  Sooty Falcon Falco concolor

107  Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo

108  African Hobby Falco cuvierii

109  Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus

110  Saker Falcon Falco cherrug

111  Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

112  Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena

113  Moorland Francolin Francolinus psilolaemus

114 H Scaly Francolin Francolinus squamatus

115  Clapperton's Francolin Francolinus clappertoni

116 E Harwood's Francolin Francolinus harwoodi

117  Yellow-necked Francolin Francolinus leucoscepus

118 e Chestnut-naped Francolin Francolinus castaneicollis

119 e Erckel's Francolin Francolinus erckelii

120  Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

121  Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris

122  Vulturine Guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum

123  Black Crowned-Crane Balearica pavonina

124  Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus

125  Common Crane Grus grus

126 H Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa

127 e Rouget's Rail Rougetius rougetii

128  Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris

129  Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

130  Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

131  Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs

132  Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori

133 e Heuglin's Bustard Neotis heuglinii

134  White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis

135  Buff-crested Bustard Eupodotis gindiana

136  Hartlaub's Bustard Lissotis hartlaubii

137  Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis

138  African Jacana Actophilornis africanus

139  Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

140  Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

141  Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis

142  Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis

143 e Somali (Cream-colored) Courser Cursorius cursor

144  Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii

145  Double-banded Courser Smutsornis africanus

146  Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus

147  Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

148  Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus

149  Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus

150  Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus

151  Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus

152  Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus

153 E Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus

154  Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

155  Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

156  Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius

157  Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris

158  Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus

159  Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

160  Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

161  Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

162  Common Redshank Tringa totanus

163  Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

164  Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

165  Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

166  Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

167  Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

168  Sanderling Calidris alba

169  Little Stint Calidris minuta

170  Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii

171  Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

172  Ruff Philomachus pugnax

173  Heuglin´s Gull Larus heuglini

174  Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

175  Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus

176  Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus

177  Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

178  Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica

179  Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

180  Common Tern Sterna hirundo

181  Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

182  White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

183  Black Tern Chlidonias niger

184  Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus

185  Black-faced Sandgrouse Pterocles decoratus

186  Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii

187  Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea

188 e White-collared Pigeon Columba albitorques

189  Rameron Pigeon Columba arquatrix

190  Lemon Dove Columba larvata

191  Eurasian Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur

192  Dusky Turtle-Dove Streptopelia lugens

193  African Collared-Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea

194 e White-winged Collared-Dove Streptopelia reichenowi

195  African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens

196  Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata

197  Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola

198  Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

199  Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos

200  Black-billed Wood-Dove Turtur abyssinicus

201  Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer

202  Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria

203  Namaqua Dove Oena capensis

204  Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia

205 e Black-winged Lovebird Agapornis taranta

206  Orange-bellied Parrot Poicephalus rufiventris

207 E Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons

208 e White-cheeked Turaco Tauraco leucotis

209 E Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii

210  Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus

211  White-bellied Go-away-bird Corythaixoides leucogaster

212  Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus

213  Klaas' Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas

214  African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus

215  Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius

216  Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus

217  Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus

218  Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis

219  White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus

220  Barn Owl Tyto alba

221  African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis

222  Northern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis

223  Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis

224  Grayish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens

225  Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus

226  African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii

227  Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum

228  Marsh Owl Asio capensis

229  Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar Caprimulgus donaldsoni

230  Abyssinian Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus

231  Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus

232  Star-spotted Nightjar Caprimulgus stellatus

233  Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma

234  Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus

235  African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus

236  Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba

237  Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis

238  Common Swift Apus apus

239  Nyanza Swift Apus niansae

240  Horus Swift Apus horus

241  Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus

242  Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus

243  Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina

244  Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata

245  Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata

246  African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta

247  Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala

248  Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis

249  Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti

250  Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima

251  Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

252  European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

253  Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus

254  Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus

255  Somali Bee-eater Merops revoilii

256  Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus

257  Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus

258  Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica

259  Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata

260  Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevia

261  Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus

262  Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

263  Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus

264 e Black-billed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus somaliensis

265  Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus

266  Abyssinian Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus minor

267  Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus

268  Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus flavirostris

269  Von der Decken's Hornbill Tockus deckeni

270 e Hemprich's Hornbill Tockus hemprichii

271  African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus

272  Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna brevis

273  Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus

274  Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus

275  Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus

276  Red-fronted Barbet Tricholaema diademata

277  Black-throated Barbet Tricholaema melanocephala

278 e Banded Barbet Lybius undatus

279  Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito

280  Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus

281  Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyphonus margaritatus

282  Red-and-yellow Barbet Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

283  D'Arnaud's Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii

284  Scaly-throated Honeyguide Indicator variegatus

285  Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator

286  Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor

287  Green-backed Honeyguide Prodotiscus zambesiae

288  Rufous-necked Wryneck Jynx ruficollis

289  Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica

290 e Abyssinian Woodpecker Dendropicos abyssinicus

291  Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens

292  Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus

293  Gray-headed Woodpecker Dendropicos spodocephalus

294  White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicauda

295  Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea

296 e Collared Lark Mirafra collaris

297 e Gillett's Lark Mirafra gilletti

298  Fawn-colored Lark Mirafra africanoides

299  Pink-breasted Lark Mirafra poecilosterna

300 E Sidamo Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis

301  Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis

302  Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix signata

303  Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti

304 e Erlanger´s (Red-capped) Lark Calandrella (cinerea) erlangeri

305  Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica

306  Thekla Lark Galerida theklae

307  Short-tailed Lark Pseudalaemon fremantlii

308  Bank Swallow Riparia riparia

309  Plain Martin Riparia paludicola

310  Banded Martin Riparia cincta

311  Gray-rumped Swallow Hirundo griseopyga

312  Eurasian Crag-Martin Hirundo rupestris

313  Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula

314  Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

315  Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida

316  Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica

317  Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii

318 E White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis

319  Lesser Striped-Swallow Hirundo abyssinica

320  Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis

321  Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica

322  House Martin Delichon urbica

323 E Brown Sawwing Psalidoprocne antinorii

324  White Wagtail Motacilla alba

325  African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp

326  Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

327  Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

328  Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

329  Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara

330 E Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis

331  Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys

332  African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus

333  Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

334  Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis

335  Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis

336  Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus

337  White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike Coracina pectoralis

338  Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia

339  Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga phoenicea

340 e Somali (Common) Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus/ dodsoni

341  Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans

342  Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis

343  Little Rock-Thrush Monticola rufocinereus

344  Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius

345  Abyssinian Ground-Thrush Zoothera piaggiae

346  Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsipsirupa

347  Olive (Mountain)Thrush Turdus olivaceus/abyssinicus

348  African Thrush Turdus pelios

349  African Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus

350  Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops

351  Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans

352 e Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa

353  Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana

354  Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus

355  Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps

356  Winding Cisticola Cisticola marginatus

357  Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus

358  Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis

359  Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes

360  Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nanus

361  Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

362  Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus

363  Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens

364 e Ethiopian (Rufous-winged) Cisticola Cisticola (galactotes) lugubris

365  Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava

366  Pale Prinia Prinia somalica

367  Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida

368  Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons

369  Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura

370  Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex

371  African Bush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala

372  Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus

373  Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides

374  Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

375  Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

376 H European Marsh-Warbler Acrocephalus palustris

377  Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

378  Basra Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis

379  Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris

380  Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida

381  Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida

382  Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum

383  Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina

384  Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella

385 e Yellow-vented Eremomela Eremomela flavicrissalis

386  Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis

387  Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela canescens

388  Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura

389 e Short-billed Crombec Sylvietta philippae

390  Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii

391 e Somali Crombec Sylvietta isabellina

392  Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens

393  Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

394  Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

395  Eastern Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis

396  Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix

397  Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

398  Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

399  Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis

400  Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis

401  Brown Warbler Parisoma lugens

402  Banded Warbler Parisoma boehmi

403  Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus

404  African Gray Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus

405 e Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis chocolatinus

406  Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides

407  African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta

408  Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia

409  Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

410  Rueppell's Robin-Chat Cossypha semirufa

411  White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini

412  Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis

413  Spotted Morning-Thrush Cichladusa guttata

414  Red-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys

415  Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes

416  Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

417  Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

418  Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

419  Common Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

420  African Stonechat Saxicola torquata/albofasciata

421  Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

422 e Abyssinian Black (Mourning) Wheatear Oenanthe lugens

423  Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka

424  Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica

425  Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

426 e Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae

427  Brown-tailed Chat Cercomela scotocerca

428 e Sombre Chat Cercomela dubia

429  Blackstart Cercomela melanura

430  Moorland Chat Cercomela sordida

431 e Rueppell's Chat Myrmecocichla melaena

432  Mocking Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris

433 e White-winged Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea semirufa

434  Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea

435  Gray-headed Batis Batis orientalis

436  Black-headed Batis Batis minor

437  Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo

438  African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

439  African Hill Babbler Illadopsis abyssinica

440  Scaly Chatterer Turdoides aylmeri

441  Rufous Chatterer Turdoides rubiginosus

442 e White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygius

443 E Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri

444  White-winged Black-Tit Melaniparus leucomelas

445 e White-backed Black-Tit Melaniparus leuconotus

446  Somali Tit Melaniparus thruppi

447  Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus

448  Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus musculus

449  Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes orientalis

450  Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris

451  Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis

452  Hunter's Sunbird Chalcomitra hunteri

453  Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze

454  Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus

455  Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis

456  Black-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris nectarinioides

457 e Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus

458  Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus

459  African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis

460  Broad-ringed White-eye Zosterops poliogaster

461  White-breasted White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus

462 e Dark-headed Oriole Oriolus monacha

463  African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus

464  Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

465  Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus

466  Southern Gray Shrike Lanius meridionalis

467  Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides

468  Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis

469  Somali Fiscal Lanius somalicus

470  Common Fiscal Lanius collaris

471  Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus

472  Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

473  White-rumped Shrike Eurocephalus rueppelli

474  Brubru Nilaus afer

475  Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis

476  Pringle's Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii

477  Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala

478  Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi

479  Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus

480  Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris

481  Rosy-patched Bushshrike Rhodophoneus cruentus

482  Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus

483  Gray-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti

484  White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus

485  Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis

486 E Stresemann's Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni

487  Redbilled Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

488  Cape Crow Corvus capensis

489  Pied Crow Corvus albus

490  Somali Crow Corvus edithae

491  Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus

492 e Thick-billed Raven Corvus crassirostris

493  Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea

494  Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus

495  Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus

496  Rueppell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpuropterus

497  Golden-breasted Starling Lamprotornis regius

498  Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus

499  Shelley's Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi

500  Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

501  White-crowned Starling Spreo albicapillus

502  Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio

503  Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris

504 e Somali Starling Onychognathus blythii

505  Bristle-crowned Starling Onychognathus salvadorii

506 e White-billed Starling Onychognathus albirostris

507  Sharpe's Starling Pholia sharpii

508  Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus

509 e Shelley's Rufous Sparrow Passer shelleyi

510 e Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii

511  Parrot-billed Sparrow Passer gongonensis

512  Chestnut Sparrow Passer eminibey

513  Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita

514  Bush Petronia Petronia dentata

515  White-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis albirostris

516  Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger

517  White-headed Buffalo-Weaver Dinemellia dinemelli

518  Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis

519  White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali

520  Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus

521  Gray-headed Social-Weaver Pseudonigrita arnaudi

522  Black-capped Social-Weaver Pseudonigrita cabanisi

523  Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht

524  Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus

525  Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius

526  Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis

527  Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis

528 e Rueppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula

529  Vitelline Masked-Weaver Ploceus vitellinus

530  Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus

531  Speke's Weaver Ploceus spekei

532  Chestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus

533  Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps

534  Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea

535  Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer

536  Black Bishop Euplectes gierowii

537  Orange Bishop Euplectes franciscanus

538  Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis

539  Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macrourus

540  White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus

541  Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens

542 E Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata

543  Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba

544  Abyssinian Crimson-wing Cryptospiza salvadorii

545  Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala

546  African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata

547  Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia

548  Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus

549  Purple Grenadier Uraeginthus ianthinogaster

550  Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda quartinia

551 e Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola

552  Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga

553  Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild

554  Red-rumped Waxbill Estrilda charmosyna

555  African Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis

556  African Silverbill Lonchura cantans

557  Gray-headed Silverbill Lonchura griseicapilla

558  Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata

559  Black-and-white Mannikin Lonchura bicolor

560  Cut-throat Amadina fasciata

561  Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata

562  Straw-tailed Whydah Vidua fischeri

563  Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura

564  Eastern Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea

565  Cape Canary Serinus canicollis

566  Abyssinian Siskin Serinus nigriceps

567 e African Citril Serinus citrinelloides

568 E Yellow-throated Serin Serinus flavigula

569 E Salvadori's Serin Serinus xantholaemus

570 e Yellow-rumped Serin Serinus xanthopygius

571  Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus

572 e Northern Grosbeak-Canary Serinus donaldsoni

573  White-bellied Canary Serinus dorsostriatus

574  Reichard's Seedeater Serinus reichardi

575  Reichenow's Seed-eater Serinus reichenowi

576 e Brown-rumped Seedeater Serinus tristriatus

577 E Ankober Serin Serinus ankoberensis

578  Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus

579  Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex

580  Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana

581  House Bunting Emberiza striolata

582  Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi

583  Somali Bunting Emberiza poliopleura

584  Brown-rumped Bunting Emberiza affinis

 

Abreviations : E = Endemic ; e = Near-endemic ; H=Heard Only

 

Totals : 581Bird species seen (15 Endemic; 44 Near-endemic; 3 Heard only)

 

MAMMAL LIST  

Based on Kingdon 1997

 

Guereza Colobus Colobus guereza (syn.C.abyssinicus)

Sacred Baboon Papio hamadryas

Olive Baboon Papio anubis

Gelada Baboon Theropithecus gelada

Grivet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops

Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops pygererythrus

Senegal Galago Galago senegalensis

Giant Root Rat Tachyoryctes rex

Groove-toothed Rat  Parotomys sp

Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis hagani

Cape Hare Lepus capensis habessenicus

Starck´s Hare Lepus starcki

Unstriped Ground Squirrel Xerus rutilus

Gambian Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus

Aardvark Orycteropus afer

Rock Hyrax Procavia habessinica

Red Rock Hyrax Procavia spp.

Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius

Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas

Side-striped Jackal Canis adustus

Golden Jackal Canis aureus

Ethiopian Wolf Canis simensis

Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis

Somali Dwarf Mongoose Helogale hirtula

Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea

Ichneumon Herpestes ichneumon

White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda

Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta

Caracal Felis caracal

Serval Cat Felis serval

African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris

Grevy's Zebra Equus grevyi

Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus

Lesser Kudu Tragelaphus imberbis

Mountain Nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni

Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus (meneliki)

Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus

Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia abyssinica

Salt's Dik-dik Madoqua saltiana

Guenther’s Dik-dik Madoqua guentheri

Kirk’s Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii

Bohor Reedbuck Redunca redunca

Gerenuk Litocranius walleri

Soemmerring's Gazelle Gazella soemmerringi

Grants Gazelle Gazella granti

Beisa Oryx Oryx beisa

 

46 species recorded

 

 

SPECIES VIDEOED !!

 

Below, a complete list of species videoed by Josep del Hoyo during this trip. A total of 405 species were videoed throughout the  trip. Edited clips can be viewed on www.hbw.com/ibc.  Many of these are of very rare  endemics and near endemic species, some of them seriously threatened and grossly understudied such as  Ankober Serin, Ruspoli’s Turaco and Sidamo Lark. There are also a sample of interesting behaviours, including a pair of Grey Kestrels copulating, Abyssinian Woodpecker pecking away at its nest , and , the extraordinary Stresemann’s Bush Crow revealing a very curious foraging technique.

 

 

  Ostrich                               Struthio camelus

  Little Grebe                          Tachybaptus ruficollis

  Great White Pelican                   Pelecanus onocrotalus

F Pink-backed Pelican                   Pelecanus rufescens

  Great Cormorant                       Phalacrocorax carbo

  Long-tailed Cormorant                 Phalacrocorax africanus

F Darter                                Anhinga melanogaster

  Gray Heron                            Ardea cinerea

  Black-headed Heron                    Ardea melanocephala

  Goliath Heron                         Ardea goliath

  Great Egret                           Ardea alba

  Black Heron                           Egretta ardesiaca

F Intermediate Egret                    Egretta intermedia

  Little Egret                          Egretta garzetta

F Squacco Heron                         Ardeola ralloides

  Cattle Egret                          Bubulcus ibis

  Hamerkop                              Scopus umbretta

  Yellow-billed Stork                   Mycteria ibis

F Black Stork                           Ciconia nigra

  White Stork                           Ciconia ciconia

  Saddle-billed Stork                   Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

  Marabou Stork                         Leptoptilos crumeniferus

  Sacred Ibis                           Threskiornis aethiopicus

  Hadada Ibis                           Bostrychia hagedash

F Wattled Ibis                          Bostrychia carunculata

F Glossy Ibis                           Plegadis falcinellus

F African Spoonbill                     Platalea alba

  Greater Flamingo                      Phoenicopterus roseus

  Fulvous Whistling-Duck                Dendrocygna bicolor

  White-faced Whistling-Duck            Dendrocygna viduata

  White-backed Duck                     Thalassornis leuconotus

F Blue-winged Goose                     Cyanochen cyanopterus

  Egyptian Goose                        Alopochen aegyptiacus

  Ruddy Shelduck                        Tadorna ferruginea

  Spur-winged Goose                     Plectropterus gambensis

  Comb Duck                             Sarkidiornis melanotos

  African Pygmy-goose                   Nettapus auritus

  African Black Duck                    Anas sparsa

F Yellow-billed Duck                    Anas undulata

F Red-billed Duck                       Anas erythrorhyncha

  Hottentot Teal                        Anas hottentota

  Garganey                              Anas querquedula

  Northern Shoveler                     Anas clypeata

F Black-shouldered Kite                 Elanus caeruleus

F Black Kite                            Milvus migrans

  African Fish-Eagle                    Haliaeetus vocifer

F Hooded Vulture                        Necrosyrtes monachus

  Lammergeier                           Gypaetus barbatus

F Egyptian Vulture                      Neophron percnopterus

  White-backed Vulture                  Gyps africanus

  Rueppell's Griffon                    Gyps rueppellii

  Lappet-faced Vulture                  Torgos tracheliotus

F Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle               Circaetus beaudouini

  Black-breasted Snake-Eagle            Circaetus pectoralis

F Bateleur                              Terathopius ecaudatus

F Western Marsh-Harrier                 Circus aeruginosus

F African Harrier-Hawk                  Polyboroides typus

F Dark Chanting-Goshawk                 Melierax metabates

  Eastern Chanting-Goshawk              Melierax poliopterus

F Gabar Goshawk                         Micronisus gabar

F African Goshawk                       Accipiter tachiro

F Black Goshawk                         Accipiter melanoleucus

F Mountain Buzzard                      Buteo oreophilus

F Long-legged Buzzard                   Buteo rufinus

F Augur Buzzard                         Buteo augur

F Greater Spotted Eagle                 Aquila clanga

  Tawny Eagle                           Aquila rapax

F Steppe Eagle                          Aquila nipalensis

F African Hawk-Eagle                    Aquila spilogaster

F Long-crested Eagle                    Lophaetus occipitalis

  Secretary-bird                        Sagittarius serpentarius

  Eurasian Kestrel                      Falco tinnunculus

  Greater Kestrel                       Falco rupicoloides

F Gray Kestrel                          Falco ardosiaceus

F Sooty Falcon                          Falco concolor

F Lanner Falcon                         Falco biarmicus

F Crested Francolin                     Francolinus sephaena

F Moorland Francolin                    Francolinus psilolaemus

  Yellow-necked Francolin               Francolinus leucoscepus

F Chestnut-naped Francolin              Francolinus castaneicollis

F Erckel's Francolin                    Francolinus erckelii

  Helmeted Guineafowl                   Numida meleagris

F Vulturine Guineafowl                  Acryllium vulturinum

F Black Crowned-Crane                   Balearica pavonina

  Wattled Crane                         Bugeranus carunculatus

F Common Crane                          Grus grus

F Rouget's Rail                         Rougetius rougetii

  Black Crake                           Amaurornis flavirostris

  Common Moorhen                        Gallinula chloropus

  Red-knobbed Coot                      Fulica cristata

F Arabian Bustard                       Ardeotis arabs

  Kori Bustard                          Ardeotis kori

F White-bellied Bustard                 Eupodotis senegalensis

F Buff-crested Bustard                  Eupodotis gindiana

  Hartlaub's Bustard                    Lissotis hartlaubii

  African Jacana                        Actophilornis africanus

  Black-winged Stilt                    Himantopus himantopus

  Pied Avocet                           Recurvirostra avosetta

F Senegal Thick-knee                    Burhinus senegalensis

  Spotted Thick-knee                    Burhinus capensis

F Cream-colored Courser                 Cursorius cursor

F Double-banded Courser                 Smutsornis africanus

F Collared Pratincole                   Glareola pratincola

F Spur-winged Plover                    Vanellus spinosus

F Black-headed Lapwing                  Vanellus tectus

F Black-winged Lapwing                  Vanellus melanopterus

F Crowned Lapwing                       Vanellus coronatus

F Spot-breasted Lapwing                 Vanellus melanocephalus

F Common Ringed Plover                  Charadrius hiaticula

  Little Ringed Plover                  Charadrius dubius

  Kittlitz's Plover                     Charadrius pecuarius

F Three-banded Plover                   Charadrius tricollaris

  Common Snipe                          Gallinago gallinago

F Black-tailed Godwit                   Limosa limosa

  Marsh Sandpiper                       Tringa stagnatilis

F Common Greenshank                     Tringa nebularia

F Green Sandpiper                       Tringa ochropus

F Wood Sandpiper                        Tringa glareola

  Common Sandpiper                      Actitis hypoleucos

F Little Stint                          Calidris minuta

F Temminck's Stint                      Calidris temminckii

F Ruff                                  Philomachus pugnax

F Heuglin's Gull                        Larus heuglini

  Great Black-headed Gull               Larus ichthyaetus

  Gray-headed Gull                      Larus cirrocephalus

  Black-headed Gull                     Larus ridibundus

  Common Tern                           Sterna hirundo

F Whiskered Tern                        Chlidonias hybridus

F White-winged Tern                     Chlidonias leucopterus

  Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse           Pterocles exustus

F Black-faced Sandgrouse                Pterocles decoratus

F Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse             Pterocles lichtensteinii

  Speckled Pigeon                       Columba guinea

F White-collared Pigeon                 Columba albitorques

F Eurasian Turtle-Dove                  Streptopelia turtur

  Dusky Turtle-Dove                     Streptopelia lugens

F White-winged Collared-Dove            Streptopelia reichenowi

  African Mourning Dove                 Streptopelia decipiens

  Red-eyed Dove                         Streptopelia semitorquata

  Ring-necked Dove                      Streptopelia capicola

  Laughing Dove                         Streptopelia senegalensis

F Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove             Turtur chalcospilos

F Black-billed Wood-Dove                Turtur abyssinicus

F Namaqua Dove                          Oena capensis

F Bruce's Green-Pigeon                  Treron waalia

F Black-winged Lovebird                 Agapornis taranta

F Red-bellied Parrot                    Poicephalus rufiventris

F Yellow-fronted Parrot                 Poicephalus flavifrons

F White-cheeked Turaco                  Tauraco leucotis

F Prince Ruspoli's Turaco               Tauraco ruspolii

F Bare-faced Go-away-bird               Corythaixoides personatus

F White-bellied Go-away-bird            Corythaixoides leucogaster

F Klaas' Cuckoo                         Chrysococcyx klaas

F Yellowbill                            Ceuthmochares aereus

F Blue-headed Coucal                    Centropus monachus

  White-browed Coucal                   Centropus superciliosus

F African Scops-Owl                     Otus senegalensis

F Northern White-faced Owl              Ptilopsis leucotis

  Cape Eagle-Owl                        Bubo capensis

F Grayish Eagle-Owl                     Bubo cinerascens

  Verreaux's Eagle-Owl                  Bubo lacteus

  Pearl-spotted Owlet                   Glaucidium perlatum

F Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar            Caprimulgus donaldsoni

F Plain Nightjar                        Caprimulgus inornatus

F Freckled Nightjar                     Caprimulgus tristigma

F Slender-tailed Nightjar               Caprimulgus clarus

  Speckled Mousebird                    Colius striatus

F Blue-naped Mousebird                  Urocolius macrourus

F Narina Trogon                         Apaloderma narina

F Half-collared Kingfisher              Alcedo semitorquata

  Malachite Kingfisher                  Alcedo cristata

F African Pygmy-Kingfisher              Ispidina picta

F Gray-headed Kingfisher                Halcyon leucocephala

F Woodland Kingfisher                   Halcyon senegalensis

F Striped Kingfisher                    Halcyon chelicuti

  Pied Kingfisher                       Ceryle rudis

  Little Bee-eater                      Merops pusillus

F Blue-breasted Bee-eater               Merops variegatus

F Somali Bee-eater                      Merops revoilii

F Blue-cheeked Bee-eater                Merops persicus

F European Bee-eater                    Merops apiaster

  Northern Carmine Bee-eater            Merops nubicus

F Abyssinian Roller                     Coracias abyssinica

  Lilac-breasted Roller                 Coracias caudata

F Rufous-crowned Roller                 Coracias naevia

  Eurasian Hoopoe                       Upupa epops

F Black-billed Woodhoopoe               Phoeniculus somaliensis

F Black Scimitar-bill                   Rhinopomastus aterrimus

  Red-billed Hornbill                   Tockus erythrorhynchus

F Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill        Tockus flavirostris

  Von der Decken's Hornbill             Tockus deckeni

F Hemprich's Hornbill                   Tockus hemprichii

F African Gray Hornbill                 Tockus nasutus

F Silvery-cheeked Hornbill              Ceratogymna brevis

  Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill            Bucorvus abyssinicus

F Red-fronted Barbet                    Tricholaema diademata

F Banded Barbet                         Lybius undatus

F Black-billed Barbet                   Lybius guifsobalito

F Double-toothed Barbet                 Lybius bidentatus

F Yellow-breasted Barbet                Trachyphonus margaritatus

F Red-and-yellow Barbet                 Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

  D'Arnaud's Barbet                     Trachyphonus darnaudii

F Scaly-throated Honeyguide             Indicator variegatus

  Rufous-necked Wryneck                 Jynx ruficollis

F Nubian Woodpecker                     Campethera nubica

F Abyssinian Woodpecker                 Dendropicos abyssinicus

F Cardinal Woodpecker                   Dendropicos fuscescens

  Bearded Woodpecker                    Dendropicos namaquus

  Gray-headed Woodpecker                Dendropicos spodocephalus

F Gillett's Lark                        Mirafra gilletti

F Fawn-colored Lark                     Mirafra africanoides

F Pink-breasted Lark                    Mirafra poecilosterna

F Sidamo Lark                           Heteromirafra sidamoensis

F Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark          Eremopterix leucotis

F Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark          Eremopterix signata

F Blanford's Lark                       Calandrella blanfordi

F Somali Short-toed Lark                Calandrella somalica

F Thekla Lark                           Galerida theklae

F Short-tailed Lark                     Pseudalaemon fremantlii

F Plain Martin                          Riparia paludicola

  Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica

F Red-chested Swallow                   Hirundo lucida

F Ethiopian Swallow                     Hirundo aethiopica

F Wire-tailed Swallow                   Hirundo smithii

F White-tailed Swallow                  Hirundo megaensis

F Red-rumped Swallow                    Hirundo daurica

F House Martin                          Delichon urbica

  White Wagtail                         Motacilla alba

F African Pied Wagtail                  Motacilla aguimp

F Yellow Wagtail                        Motacilla flava

  Gray Wagtail                          Motacilla cinerea

F Mountain Wagtail                      Motacilla clara

F Abyssinian Longclaw                   Macronyx flavicollis

F Plain-backed Pipit                    Anthus leucophrys

  African Pipit                         Anthus cinnamomeus

  Tawny Pipit                           Anthus campestris

F Long-billed Pipit                     Anthus similis

F Red-throated Pipit                    Anthus cervinus

F White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike          Coracina pectoralis

F Gray Cuckoo-shrike                    Coracina caesia

F Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike          Campephaga phoenicea

  Common Bulbul                         Pycnonotus barbatus

F Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush             Monticola saxatilis

F Little Rock-Thrush                    Monticola rufocinereus

  Blue Rock-Thrush                      Monticola solitarius

F Abyssinian Ground-Thrush              Zoothera piaggiae

  Groundscraper Thrush                  Psophocichla litsipsirupa

F Olive Thrush                          Turdus olivaceus

F African Thrush                        Turdus pelios

F Red-faced Cisticola                   Cisticola erythrops

F Boran Cisticola                       Cisticola bodessa

F Rattling Cisticola                    Cisticola chiniana

F Winding Cisticola                     Cisticola galactotes

F Stout Cisticola                       Cisticola robustus

F Pectoral-patch Cisticola              Cisticola brunnescens

F Tawny-flanked Prinia                  Prinia subflava

F Yellow-breasted Apalis                Apalis flavida

F Green-backed Camaroptera              Camaroptera brachyura

F Gray Wren-Warbler                     Calamonastes simplex

F Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler              Bradypterus cinnamomeus

F Sedge Warbler                         Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

F Eurasian Reed-Warbler                 Acrocephalus scirpaceus

F Buff-bellied Warbler                  Phyllolais pulchella

F Yellow-bellied Eremomela              Eremomela icteropygialis

F Red-faced Crombec                     Sylvietta whytii

F Common Chiffchaff                     Phylloscopus collybita

F Lesser Whitethroat                    Sylvia curruca

F Pale Flycatcher                       Bradornis pallidus

F African Gray Flycatcher               Bradornis microrhynchus

F Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher           Melaenornis chocolatinus

F Northern Black-Flycatcher             Melaenornis edolioides

  African Dusky Flycatcher              Muscicapa adusta

F Rueppell's Robin-Chat                 Cossypha semirufa

F Spotted Morning-Thrush                Cichladusa guttata

F Red-backed Scrub-Robin                Cercotrichas leucophrys

F Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin             Cercotrichas galactotes

F Common Redstart                       Phoenicurus phoenicurus

F African Stonechat                     Saxicola torquata

F Northern Wheatear                     Oenanthe oenanthe

F Mourning Wheatear                     Oenanthe lugens

F Pied Wheatear                         Oenanthe pleschanka

F Black-eared Wheatear                  Oenanthe hispanica

F Isabelline Wheatear                   Oenanthe isabellina

F Red-breasted Wheatear                 Oenanthe bottae

F Brown-tailed Chat                     Cercomela scotocerca

F Sombre Chat                           Cercomela dubia

F Blackstart                            Cercomela melanura

F Moorland Chat                         Cercomela sordida

F Rueppell's Chat                       Myrmecocichla melaena

F Mocking Cliff-Chat                    Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris

F White-winged Cliff-Chat               Thamnolaea semirufa

F Gray-headed Batis                     Batis orientalis

F Black-headed Batis                    Batis minor

F Pygmy Batis                           Batis perkeo

F African Paradise-Flycatcher           Terpsiphone viridis

  Scaly Chatterer                       Turdoides aylmeri

  Rufous Chatterer                      Turdoides rubiginosus

F White-rumped Babbler                  Turdoides leucopygius

F Abyssinian Catbird                    Parophasma galinieri

F White-backed Black-Tit                Melaniparus leuconotus

F Somali Tit                            Melaniparus thruppi

F Spotted Creeper                       Salpornis spilonotus

F Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird           Anthreptes orientalis

F Collared Sunbird                      Hedydipna collaris

F Scarlet-chested Sunbird               Chalcomitra senegalensis

F Hunter's Sunbird                      Chalcomitra hunteri

  Tacazze Sunbird                       Nectarinia tacazze

F Beautiful Sunbird                     Cinnyris pulchellus

F Mariqua Sunbird                       Cinnyris mariquensis

F Black-bellied Sunbird                 Cinnyris nectarinioides

F Shining Sunbird                       Cinnyris habessinicus

F Variable Sunbird                      Cinnyris venustus

  Broad-ringed White-eye                Zosterops poliogaster

F White-breasted White-eye              Zosterops abyssinicus

F Dark-headed Oriole                    Oriolus monacha

F African Black-headed Oriole           Oriolus larvatus

F Rufous-tailed Shrike                  Lanius isabellinus

F Southern Gray Shrike                  Lanius meridionalis

F Gray-backed Fiscal                    Lanius excubitoroides

F Taita Fiscal                          Lanius dorsalis

F Somali Fiscal                         Lanius somalicus

F Common Fiscal                         Lanius collaris

F Masked Shrike                         Lanius nubicus

F Woodchat Shrike                       Lanius senator

F White-rumped Shrike                   Eurocephalus rueppelli

  Brubru                                Nilaus afer

F Northern Puffback                     Dryoscopus gambensis

F Black-crowned Tchagra                 Tchagra senegala

F Slate-colored Boubou                  Laniarius funebris

F Rosy-patched Bushshrike               Rhodophoneus cruentus

F Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike           Telophorus sulfureopectus

F Gray-headed Bushshrike                Malaconotus blanchoti

F White Helmetshrike                    Prionops plumatus

  Fork-tailed Drongo                    Dicrurus adsimilis

F Stresemann's Bush-Crow                Zavattariornis stresemanni

F Cape Crow                             Corvus capensis

  Pied Crow                             Corvus albus

F Somali Crow                           Corvus edithae

F Fan-tailed Raven                      Corvus rhipidurus

F Thick-billed Raven                    Corvus crassirostris

F Wattled Starling                      Creatophora cinerea

  Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling    Lamprotornis chalybaeus

F Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling     Lamprotornis chloropterus

F Rueppell's Glossy-Starling            Lamprotornis purpuropterus

  Golden-breasted Starling              Lamprotornis regius

  Superb Starling                       Lamprotornis superbus

F Shelley's Starling                    Lamprotornis shelleyi

  Violet-backed Starling                Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

F White-crowned Starling                Spreo albicapillus

  Red-winged Starling                   Onychognathus morio

F Slender-billed Starling               Onychognathus tenuirostris

F Bristle-crowned Starling              Onychognathus salvadorii

F White-billed Starling                 Onychognathus albirostris

  Red-billed Oxpecker                   Buphagus erythrorhynchus

F Shelley's Rufous Sparrow              Passer shelleyi

F Swainson's Sparrow                    Passer swainsonii

  Parrot-billed Sparrow                 Passer gongonensis

F Chestnut Sparrow                      Passer eminibey

F Yellow-spotted Petronia               Petronia pyrgita

F Bush Petronia                         Petronia dentata

F White-billed Buffalo-Weaver           Bubalornis albirostris

  Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver             Bubalornis niger

F White-headed Buffalo-Weaver           Dinemellia dinemelli

F Speckle-fronted Weaver                Sporopipes frontalis

  White-browed Sparrow-Weaver           Plocepasser mahali

F Gray-headed Social-Weaver             Pseudonigrita arnaudi

F Black-capped Social-Weaver            Pseudonigrita cabanisi

  Baglafecht Weaver                     Ploceus baglafecht

F Little Weaver                         Ploceus luteolus

F Black-necked Weaver                   Ploceus nigricollis

F Rueppell's Weaver                     Ploceus galbula

F Vitelline Masked-Weaver               Ploceus vitellinus

  Village Weaver                        Ploceus cucullatus

F Speke's Weaver                        Ploceus spekei

F Chestnut Weaver                       Ploceus rubiginosus

F Red-headed Weaver                     Anaplectes rubriceps

  Red-billed Quelea                     Quelea quelea

F Orange Bishop                         Euplectes franciscanus

F Yellow Bishop                         Euplectes capensis

F Red-billed Firefinch                  Lagonosticta senegala

  Red-cheeked Cordonbleu                Uraeginthus bengalus

  Purple Grenadier                      Uraeginthus ianthinogaster

F Yellow-bellied Waxbill                Estrilda quartinia

F Common Waxbill                        Estrilda astrild

F African Silverbill                    Euodice cantans

F Bronze Mannikin                       Spermestes cucullatus

F Black-and-white Mannikin              Spermestes bicolor

F Cut-throat                            Amadina fasciata

F Village Indigobird                    Vidua chalybeata

F Straw-tailed Whydah                   Vidua fischeri

F Pin-tailed Whydah                     Vidua macroura

F Eastern Paradise-Whydah               Vidua paradisaea

F Ankober Serin                         Carduelis ankoberensis

F Abyssinian Siskin                     Serinus nigriceps

F African Citril                        Serinus citrinelloides

F Yellow-throated Serin                 Serinus flavigula

F Salvadori's Serin                     Serinus xantholaemus

F Reichenow's Seedeater                 Serinus reichenowi

F White-bellied Canary                  Serinus dorsostriatus

F Brown-rumped Seedeater                Serinus tristriatus

  Streaky Seedeater                     Serinus striolatus

F Ortolan Bunting                       Emberiza hortulana

F House Bunting                         Emberiza striolata

F Cinnamon-breasted Bunting             Emberiza tahapisi

F Somali Bunting                        Emberiza poliopleura