Ethiopian Birds

Ethiopia a paradise for Ornithology, there are about 835 species of birds known to occur in Ethiopia, 23 are found exclusively within the country’s boundaries. Most of these 23 endemic birds are widely distributed, chiefly on the western and southern highland plateau.

Many of the semi endemic birds of Ethiopia

Like Thick-Billed Raven, Wattled Ibis, Black Winged Love bird and White Collared Pigeon- are notably common over extensive areas of the plateau, and, because they are big readily identified and not especially shy, they are consequently easy to see and observe. Even in the highland forests which support comparatively few endemic species of birds, the endemics are nevertheless obvious and common.

The song of one- the Abyssinian cat bird

Is considered to be one of the most beautiful of any bird in Africa, Three Ethiopian Endemics are confined to the southern edge of Ethiopian plateau: they are the Streetman’s Bush-Crow, The white Tailed Swallow and Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. Another endemic Ethiopian bird, The Blue- Winged Goose, is a very isolated species: its closest relative is a Goose which occurs in South America.

It is surprising that the biology of obvious and common endemic birds of Ethiopia remains inadequately known, For the Scientist, they provide a great number of interesting problems of investigation: for the tourist, they provide a very enjoyable opportunity of seeing something new and unique: for the bird watcher, they provide the experience of observing 23 birds found nowhere else in the world.