Ethiopia
Ethiopia is dominated by the immense Ethiopian Highlands, split by the Great Rift Valley and cut by deep gorges and river systems. Elevations range from the below-sea-level Danakil Depression to peaks above 4,500 metres in the Simien and Bale Mountains. Highland grasslands, Afro-alpine moorlands and montane forests contrast with Rift Valley lakes, dry acacia savannas and the arid lowlands of the east and northeast. This extreme topographic variation has produced high levels of endemism in both plants and animals.
Overview
Ethiopia is one of Africa's most distinctive birding destinations, renowned for its large number of endemic and near-endemic birds. The Bale Mountains are a major centre of endemism, with Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Rouget's Rail and Abyssinian Longclaw, while nearby forests hold Abyssinian Woodpecker and other highland specialties. The southern Yabello region is essential for Stresemann's Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow, two extremely localized Ethiopian endemics. Rift Valley lakes provide excellent waterbird concentrations, while the north offers Erckel's Francolin, White-billed Starling and Thick-billed Raven amid spectacular highland scenery. Ethiopia has a long-established specialist birding industry and experienced local guides, but long road journeys and high elevations can make trips demanding. Security and access conditions vary considerably by region and can change rapidly, so current travel advice is important.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | 32.4% | 44.3% | 38.9% | 42.8% | 44.1% | 35.8% | 14.3% | 6.5% | 5.5% | 31.4% | 40.9% | 43.5% | 41.3% |
| Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii | 31.7% | 25.6% | 26.9% | 32.8% | 36.2% | 35.5% | 31.4% | 32.4% | 29.7% | 41.3% | 34.0% | 27.8% | 26.8% |
| Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea | 29.6% | 33.3% | 29.4% | 31.9% | 30.6% | 24.9% | 18.2% | 28.3% | 23.0% | 32.1% | 35.1% | 35.6% | 33.0% |
| Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus | 27.4% | 25.5% | 24.6% | 27.5% | 33.0% | 24.7% | 22.7% | 26.6% | 23.9% | 35.3% | 30.1% | 29.0% | 25.8% |
| Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus | 26.9% | 28.1% | 27.1% | 31.4% | 31.6% | 30.6% | 22.1% | 24.1% | 22.9% | 25.6% | 28.8% | 26.2% | 25.0% |
| Pied Crow Corvus albus | 26.7% | 26.2% | 25.9% | 27.8% | 29.6% | 30.5% | 22.8% | 24.4% | 20.8% | 34.3% | 30.1% | 26.2% | 22.2% |
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 26.7% | 28.1% | 28.0% | 33.9% | 28.9% | 25.7% | 19.2% | 21.7% | 23.3% | 22.1% | 23.8% | 32.4% | 33.1% |
| Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata | 26.3% | 28.3% | 25.8% | 27.5% | 22.6% | 22.9% | 21.0% | 22.1% | 22.6% | 32.8% | 27.2% | 32.5% | 29.5% |
| Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca | 23.3% | 25.5% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 24.1% | 26.1% | 19.3% | 23.5% | 21.1% | 20.6% | 21.4% | 26.3% | 24.3% |
| Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht | 22.9% | 19.2% | 19.7% | 23.3% | 27.3% | 28.0% | 24.2% | 21.9% | 23.9% | 28.6% | 25.4% | 17.3% | 16.6% |