Ethiopia is one of the most diverse countries in Africa, boasting an incredible range of natural habitats from savannas and forests to mountains and deserts.
The country is home to an impressive array of endemic bird species, found nowhere else on earth. With over 860 bird species recorded, Ethiopia is regarded as one of the top birding destinations in the world.
The country’s unique geography, climate, and vegetation have created perfect conditions for the evolution of numerous unique bird species.
In this article, we will explore some of the most fascinating endemic birds found in Ethiopia, and why they are important to the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
1. Turaco
Turacos are a unique bird family that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. They are also known as “banana-eaters” or “loeries” in southern Africa, due to their diet which consists mostly of fruit such as plantains.
These birds have an interesting semi-zygodactylous foot structure – the fourth toe can be switched back and forth while the second and third toes remain conjoined.
Turacos come in different sizes depending on species but they all generally boast bright colors like green, blue, purple or red feathers with vibrant yellow eyes.
In addition to being beautiful creatures, these birds make loud calls during mating season which makes them even more special.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Otidimorphae |
| Order | Musophagiformes Seebohm, 1890 |
| Family | Musophagidae Lesson, 1828 |
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2. Bee-Eater
Bee-eaters are one of the most beautiful and vibrant birds in existence. They have a slender body, long wings, down turned bills and their signature elongated central tail feathers which make them instantly recognizable from afar.
Their plumage is incredibly colorful with many shades ranging from blues to greens to reds that glisten when they fly through the air.
These stunning creatures can be found all over Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, Australia and New Guinea where they feed mainly on bees but also other insects like flies or wasps as well as small mammals such as lizards or rodents.
Bee-eaters live in colonies near rivers or wetlands so that they may easily hunt for food while staying close together for safety purposes.
Additionally it allows them to better display their impressive courtship dances during mating season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
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3. Blue-Winged Goose
The Blue-winged Goose (Cyanochen cyanoptera) is a unique species of waterfowl native to Ethiopia. It is the only member in its genus, and there has been uncertainty over where it sits within the waterfowl family tree.
Morphologically, this bird closely resembles shelducks and South American sheldgeese – they share similar courtship displays too.
Genetic analyses using mitochondrial DNA have confirmed that this species is not related to other geese or ducks; instead, Blue-winged Geese likely belong to an ancient lineage of birds which diverged before most current waterbird families had evolved.
The striking plumage pattern makes them easy to spot out on their marshy habitats across Ethiopia’s highlands – be sure keep your eyes peeled for these beautiful creatures.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Cyanochen Bonaparte, 1856 |
| Species | C. cyanoptera |
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4. Ethiopian Siskin
The Ethiopian siskin, also known as Abyssinian siskin, is a species of finch bird that can only be found in Ethiopia. It inhabits the high altitude Afromontane grassland areas at altitudes above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).
This small and beautiful bird has mainly brownish grey plumage with dark green wings and tail feathers.
Its crown and upperparts are black while its throat is yellow with white markings around it. The male has a bright red bill compared to the female’s duller one.
Antonio Arnaiz-Villena et al have been successful in obtaining this captivating species for study purposes – highlighting how special they truly are.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Serinus |
| Species | S. nigriceps |
5. Spot-Breasted Lapwing
The Spot-breasted Lapwing is a species of bird that is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands. It has chunky body with a black cap, white eyebrow and black throat.
The most distinctive feature are its coarse spots across the breast. This interesting lapwing inhabits both wet and dry montane habitats such as grassland, moorland and marsh.
They feed mainly on insects found in these areas by foraging on foot or hovering over waterbodies like lakes or rivers to catch aquatic prey.
Although it faces no major threats at present, their populations may be declining due to destruction of its habitat due to human activities such as deforestation which may affect them negatively in future if conservation measures aren’t taken soon enough .Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Vanellus |
| Species | V. melanocephalus |
6. Wattled Ibis
The Wattled Ibis is a beautiful dark brown bird, native to the Ethiopian highlands and Eritrea. Distinguished by its crested head, short bill and long tail it also has an extensive white patch on its wings.
It feeds mainly on small invertebrates but can also take larger prey such as frogs and lizards when available in their habitat of grassland areas with scrub or semi-arid wooded habitats.
During breeding season they form monogamous pairs which build nests near water sources so that both parents can provide food for the chicks more easily.
The male will perform courtship displays to attract a mate before building the nest together from sticks and twigs lined with soft grasses and feathers from other species of birds.
This remarkable species helps maintain healthy ecosystems through controlling insect populations making them important contributors to biodiversity conservation efforts across Africa.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Bostrychia |
| Species | B. carunculata |
7. Abyssinian Longclaw
The Abyssinian longclaw is a species of bird belonging to the family Motacillidae, natively found in Ethiopia. It inhabits subtropical or tropical high-altitude grasslands and arable lands of the Ethiopian Highlands.
This vibrant bird has yellowish-brown head with black stripes on its crown and white throat which makes it distinguishable from other birds in its family.
In terms of behavior, this small passerine follows similar patterns as that of Yellow-throated Longclaw also known as Macronyx croceus which belongs to same group but resides elsewhere in Africa.
As per IUCN Red List data, these birds are labeled under Least Concern category owing their widespread population across natural range area despite being prone to threats like habitat destruction due to urbanization & agricultural activities.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Motacillidae |
| Genus | Macronyx |
| Species | M. flavicollis |
8. Ruspoli’s Turaco
Ruspoli’s Turaco is a species of bird found in southern Ethiopia, and is the only known member of its genus. Its natural habitat consists of subtropical or tropical dry forests, though it has seen rapid population decrease due to deforestation activities.
The species was discovered by Eugenio Ruspoli in 1892/93 but his sudden death meant that little else could be recorded about it until recently when conservationists began to research its ecology and habits more closely.
It features an impressive plumage with bright blue-green coloration on both wings as well as two white stripes running down each side from neck to tail feathers; adding further beauty are vibrant yellow eyes which contrast nicely against their black eye patches and facial markings.
Despite being classified as near threatened, Ruspoli’s turacos remain popular amongst birdwatchers for their unique colors and patterns along with their gentle nature – making them highly sought after despite still facing threats from human activity destroying their habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Musophagiformes |
| Family | Musophagidae |
| Genus | Menelikornis |
| Species | M. ruspolii |
9. Thick-Billed Raven
The Thick-billed Raven is a large and impressive member of the Corvid family. It has an average length of 64 cm, ranging from 60 to 70 cm with males weighing in at 1.5 kg and females at 1.15 kg.
This makes it one of the largest passerines out there. The body is mainly black with some white spotting on its chest and neck area.
However, this varies according to location as different subspecies can exhibit quite distinct features or even coloration changes altogether.
Its wingspan also ranges greatly depending on size but usually measures around 85 – 100cm across when fully extended.
All in all, this bird certainly stands out amongst other birds due to its impressive size combined with stunning plumage which often leaves onlookers breathless.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. crassirostris |
10. Black-Winged Lovebird
The Black-winged lovebird is a stunningly beautiful parrot from Ethiopia and Eritrea. It stands out in the Lovebird genus for its size, measuring up to 6.5 inches long and being the largest of the group.
Male birds can be identified by their red forehead while females have an all green head. These birds are not very common outside of their native range but they make great pets due to their friendly personalities and intelligence level as well as beauty.
They require lots of attention and interaction with humans or other birds so if you’re considering one, make sure you’re prepared to provide them with plenty of care.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Agapornis |
| Species | A. taranta |
11. White-Tailed Swallow
The White-tailed Swallow is a small bird belonging to the Hirundinidae family, native to Oromia in Ethiopia. It was named after ornithologist Constatine Walter Benson who first identified it.
The species has been classified as vulnerable by IUCN due to its decreasing population size and range loss caused mainly by human activities such as deforestation and agriculture expansion.
To protect this beautiful creature, conservation measures must be implemented in order for it not only survive but also thrive once again in its natural habitat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Hirundo |
| Species | H. megaensis |
12. White-Collared Pigeon
The White-collared Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columbidae family, endemic to Eritrea and Ethiopia. It inhabits rocky cliffs, gorges and city centres alike, standing at an impressive 32 cm tall.
This monotypic species has no recognised subspecies. The pigeon’s plumage is mainly grey with black wings and tail.
Its distinguishing feature however, are its white collars on either side of its neck which it gets its name from.
They feed mainly off grass seed but have been found consuming insects as well when food sources become scarce in their natural habitats during dry spells or drought seasons.
They build nests high up on cliff walls near water sources where they can raise their young safely away from predators like hawks or falcons that may prey upon them otherwiseScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Columba |
| Species | C. albitorques |
13. White-Billed Starling
The White-billed Starling is an exotic bird species found mainly in the regions of Eritrea and Ethiopia. It has a unique white bill, which makes it quite distinctive from other starlings.
This beautiful bird prefers to live on steep cliffs and can often be seen perched high up in trees or soaring through the sky.
Its diet consists mostly of insects, fruits and seeds as well as some smaller animals like lizards and rodents that they find while foraging around their habitat.
The white billed starling is an important part of its local ecosystem since it helps control insect populations by preying upon them, making sure there’s enough food available for other species too.
They are also known to form large flocks during migration season when they travel long distances together looking for better feeding grounds.
Despite being so rare these stunning birds still manage to captivate us with their charm every time we see them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Onychognathus |
| Species | O. albirostris |
14. Yellow-Fronted Parrot
The Yellow-fronted Parrot is a beautiful bird endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands. Its plumage is mostly green with a yellow head, which gives it its name.
Not much has been studied about this species, but German naturalist Eduard Rüppell first described it in 1845 and gave it the scientific name of Poicephalus flavifrons derived from Latin words “flavus” meaning yellow and “frons” meaning forehead.
It’s also known as the Yellow-faced Parrot or by its local names such as Fishe Chikilu Tibs or Nech Wotch Guba among others. Undoubtedly, more research should be done on these birds to understand them better.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittacidae |
| Genus | Poicephalus |
| Species | P. flavifrons |
15. Abyssinian Woodpecker
The Abyssinian woodpecker is a small bird native to Eritrea and Ethiopia in Africa. With its distinctive golden-backed feathers, it stands out among other species of birds within the Picidae family.
It has an affinity for acacia trees – often using them as perches while searching for insects under bark or digging into dead wood with their powerful beaks.
The Abyssinian also feeds on nectar from flowers and fruits found near these acacias.
As part of its adaptation to living in arid environments, this little bird can survive long periods without water due to its metabolic rate being lower than most other avian species.
Despite having such unique traits, the population size of this woodland resident continues to decline due largely to habitat destruction caused by humans activities like deforestation and charcoal burningScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Dendropicos |
| Species | D. abyssinicus |
16. Banded Barbet
The Banded barbet is a species of bird found in Eritrea and Ethiopia, usually living between 300-2400 metres.
It has not been thoroughly studied yet so its exact population numbers are unknown – some areas have it as uncommon while other count them as locally common.
This small colourful bird sports a distinct black band across its chest which gives it its name; the rest of the body varies from yellow to green with red highlights around their eyes and beak.
They feed on fruit, insects and flower buds making sure they keep their environment healthy by helping spread seeds.
Despite being relatively unknown to most people, these birds provide an important ecological role in preserving plant life throughout Ethiopia’s landscape.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Lybiidae |
| Genus | Lybius |
| Species | L. undatus |
17. White-Winged Cliff Chat
The White-winged Cliff Chat is a species of Old World flycatcher that resides primarily in the Ethiopian Highlands. It has an unmistakable plumage, with its wings and tail feathers white on one side and gray or black on the other.
Its habitat consists of rocky wooded gorges, among boulders, as well as road cuttings. This bird is known for being quite vocal – it produces various types of loud whistles to communicate with others around them during mating season or when defending their territory from intruders.
Despite this impressive trait however, they are still relatively unknown due to their low population numbers which make them vulnerable to extinction if conservation efforts aren’t taken soon enough.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Monticola |
| Species | M. semirufus |
18. Ethiopian Oriole
The Ethiopian Oriole is a species of bird belonging to the family Oriolidae. It inhabits subtropical and tropical dry forests of north-eastern Africa, where it’s known by alternate names such as Abyssinian Black-Headed Oriole, Abyssinian oriole or dark-headed oriole.
It has a black head with yellow eyes, white underparts and wings that are entirely black except for two bold yellow wing bars on each side.
The back is greenish olive in colour while its tail feathers have bright yellow tips. Its bill is pinkish grey in coloration with an orange tip at the end; females have slightly duller colors than males but otherwise look identical.
Feeds mainly on insects but also takes fruits from trees like mulberries and figs when available during different seasons throughout its range..Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Oriolidae |
| Genus | Oriolus |
| Species | O. monacha |
19. Harwood’s Spurfowl
Harwood’s spurfowl is a species of bird native to the Ethiopian highlands. It has an unmistakable grey-brown plumage with red bill, tail and bare skin around its eyes.
Both males and females look similar in coloration though females tend to be slightly paler with a larger buff belly.
This species can mainly be found on either side of the Blue Nile valley where it inhabits wooded areas along riverbanks or at forest edges.
Its diet consists mostly of insects but they also feed on seeds and other fruits that are available seasonally in their habitat range.
Harwood’s spurfowl typically nests close to water sources such as streams or rivers which provides them protection from predators while also providing access to food resources near these waterways as well.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Pternistis |
| Species | P. harwoodi |
20. Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher
The Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher is a small bird native to Eritrea and Ethiopia in Africa. It belongs to the family Muscicapidae, commonly known as Old World flycatchers.
This species typically has dark grayish-black plumage with lighter patches on its wings and tail feathers. Its head is generally light brown, which gives it its “chocolate” description in some of its common names.
Although this species can be difficult to spot due to its dull coloring, they are often heard before seen thanks to their distinctive call that sounds like a repeated “tchee” or “tsiip” sound when alarmed or excited by potential prey items.
These birds feed mainly on insects such as flies, beetles and wasps so they tend stay close to trees where there’s an abundance of these food sources.
Despite being relatively little studied compared other birds throughout Africa, the Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher remains fairly widespread across both Eritrea and Ethiopia making them one of the more successful avian residents within the region.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Melaenornis |
| Species | M. chocolatinus |
21. White-Backed Black Tit
The White-backed Black Tit is a species of bird in the family Paridae and can be found in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Its natural habitat consists of boreal forests, providing plenty of food sources for it to survive on.
It was once classified as part of genus Parus but after further research into its molecular phylogenetic, it has since been moved to Melaniparus instead due to differences within its genetic makeup.
This black tit stands out from other birds with its unique white feathers covering most parts if its body – such as wings, tail and back – making this an eye catching sight when spotted amongst others.
Despite their size, they are surprisingly aggressive during breeding season towards any intruding competitors at the nest site which may threaten their young ones’ safety.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Melaniparus |
| Species | M. leuconotus |
22. Rüppell’s Black Chat
Rüppell’s black chat is a species of bird that belongs to the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to Eritrea and Ethiopia where it lives in woodlands, scrubland, grassy areas and shrubland habitats.
The plumage of this chatbird is predominantly black with white spotting on its wings and tail feathers. Its underside has an orange-rufous colouration which distinguishes it from other birds in its habitat.
This small songbird typically feeds on insects such as beetles, ants, moths, bees and flies but will also eat seeds when available.
During the breeding season males are known for their loud calls made during territorial disputes or courtship displays with females; these calls can be heard up to 0.5 miles away.
Rüppell’s Black Chat may become threatened due to ongoing human activities such as deforestation however they remain common within suitable habitats across their range at present time making them one of several beautiful avian residents found there today.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Myrmecocichla |
| Species | M. melaena |
23. Abyssinian Owl
The Abyssinian owl is a medium-sized true owl found in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Ethiopia to South Sudan. It has dark brown eyes, a black bill and grey eyebrows with prominent ear tufts that are slightly off center on its head.
Its plumage is mainly reddish brown or rufous marked white above the eye line, while below it’s barred white and buffy gray.
This species prefers dry savanna habitats where it can easily hunt for prey like insects, small birds and rodents during the night time hours when they’re most active.
In addition to being an efficient hunter of nocturnal creatures , this bird also exhibits interesting behavior such as flicking its wings up then down repeatedly before landing.
This serves both as a way to make itself appear larger to potential predators as well as attract mates since these movements signify strength & agility.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Asio |
| Species | A. abyssinicus |
24. Yellow-Throated Seedeater
The Yellow-throated Seedeater is a beautiful species of finch found only in Ethiopia. It inhabits dry shrubland and grasslands, but its habitat is threatened by deforestation and loss of natural resources.
The bird has bright yellow feathers on its throat which contrast with the brown colouring on the rest of its body. Its song consists of jumbled chirps that are reminiscent to that of a canary’s call – ‘zeee-zsreee’.
This small bird prefers semi-desert areas where it feeds mainly on seeds from various plants as well as berries and insects when available.
Despite being vulnerable due to habitat destruction, conservation efforts like afforestation projects have been put into place to increase their numbers in nature reserves around Ethiopia.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Crithagra |
| Species | C. flavigula |
25. Salvadori’s Seedeater
Salvadori’s seedeater is a species of finch native to Ethiopia. They inhabit dry forests and high-altitude shrublands, but are threatened by habitat loss due to human activity.
The bird has an olive green back with yellow underparts, white cheek patches and black eyebrows that cross the forehead.
Its bill and feet are orange in coloration while its eyes range from dark brown to red depending on age or sex.
These birds mainly feed on seeds found in their habitats such as grasses, weeds and other plants growing around them.
Their diet also consists of insects which they catch during flight or plucking it off vegetation near them.
Salvadori’s seedeaters have been classified as Near Threatened due to the rapid destruction of their natural habitats causing population declination across its range areas in EthiopiaScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Crithagra |
| Species | C. xantholaema |
26. Sombre Rock Chat
The Sombre Rock Chat is a species of passerine bird found in Ethiopia and Somalia. It prefers dry, shrubby habitats and has been classified as part of the Muscicapidae family.
This small bird typically measures 15-17cm long with a wingspan between 22-25 cm across. Its upperparts are generally greyish brown while its underparts are cream to white with some black barring on the chest area.
The tail feathers are usually tipped in dark colouring, lending it its namesake sombre appearance overall.
Despite their drab colours they can be quite vocal birds and produce melodious chirps throughout the day when active or during mating season which occurs from October through April each year.
They mainly feed on insects but will occasionally take berries if available too providing an important source of nutrition for themScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Oenanthe |
| Species | O. dubia |
27. Nechisar Nightjar
The Nechisar nightjar is a species of bird in the Caprimulgidae family, endemic to Ethiopia. It was discovered in 1990 when researchers found a decomposing specimen at Nechisar National Park.
After bringing back a single wing from it to London’s Natural History Museum, they determined that it was an unknown species.
This nocturnal creature has cryptically-patterned grey and brown plumage which helps camouflage them during their active hours near dusk and dawn.
They feed mainly on insects like moths, beetles and cicadas but sometimes hunt for small amphibians too.
As its habitat faces threats such as loss of natural grasslands combined with climate change, conservation efforts are necessary to ensure the survival of this unique species going forward.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae |
| Genus | Caprimulgus |
| Species | C. solala |
28. Moorland Francolin
The Moorland Francolin is a species of bird found in the highlands of Ethiopia. It lives primarily on moorland, making it an excellent addition to any aviary.
This unique species has gray upperparts and white underparts with dark barring along its sides. Its face features yellow-orange around its eyes and beak, as well as black streaks across its cheeks.
The IUCN Red List declared this species distinct from Elgon Francolins in 2014 due to differences in their appearance and habitat preferences.
These birds are shy but can make great companions if socialized properly, although they may take some time before they fully trust humans.
With proper care and attention these beautiful birds can live up to 8 years or more.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Scleroptila |
| Species | S. psilolaema |
29. Ankober Serin
The Ankober Serin is a small finch found only in Ethiopia. It has brown upperparts with buffy-colored streaking on its head and breast, making it easily recognizable amongst other species of birds.
This gregarious bird is often seen in flocks and sings a low twittering song. An adult serin measures around 12 cm (5 inches) long from beak to tail feathers. They feed mainly on seeds but can also eat some insects as well.
These birds live mostly in the highlands of northern Ethiopia where they form large roosts at night for protection against their predators such as hawks or owls.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Crithagra |
| Species | C. ankoberensis |
30. Bare-Faced Go-Away-Bird
The Bare-faced go-away-bird is an eye catching species of bird native to eastern Afrotropics. It stands out due to its unique bare black face, setting it apart from other birds in the Musophagidae family.
Both sexes are similar except for the female’s green beak and both measure about 19 inches long with a weight of 210 – 300 grams.
These birds make quite a bit of noise as they move around restlessly throughout their habitat, making them easily recognizable by sound alone.
They feed mainly on fruits such as figs and berries which gives them plenty energy for all that movement.
All in all, this species makes an interesting addition to any nature enthusiast’s list of sightings or even just backyard visitors.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Musophagiformes |
| Family | Musophagidae |
| Genus | Crinifer |
| Species | C. personatus |
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31. Erlanger’s Lark
Erlanger’s lark is a species of bird endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia. It is part of the lark family, and has been named after German ornithologist Carlo von Erlanger.
This small passerine bird has an alternate name – Erlanger’s red-capped lark, or Ethiopian short-toed lark – and it is considered to be closely related to Blanford’s Larks.
These birds are usually found living in open areas with low vegetation such as grassland plains or semi-desert scrublands at altitudes ranging from 3200–4500m above sea level.
They feed on insects, seeds and grain crops like barley which they find while foraging along bare ground during their nonbreeding season. They also use these food sources when breeding too.
The population size of this species appears stable overall but its range seems quite limited so conservation measures should continue in order to prevent any potential decline in numbers that could arise due habitat loss caused by agricultural development within its range area.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Alaudidae |
| Genus | Calandrella |
| Species | C. blanfordi |
| Subspecies | C. b. erlangeri |
32. White-Winged Flufftail
The white-winged flufftail is an incredibly rare bird found in Ethiopia and South Africa. It belongs to the family Sarothruridae with a population size of less than 250 adults worldwide, making it one of the most endangered species on Earth.
Both sexes have dull plumage, dark crowns and when flying they show white wings which are used as their namesake.
They live mainly near wetlands or moist grasslands where they feed upon insects such as moths, beetles and caterpillars by foraging through vegetation.
Unfortunately due to habitat loss from human activities like urbanization, agricultural expansion and wetland drainage these birds may soon become extinct unless conservation action is taken quickly.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Sarothruridae |
| Genus | Sarothrura |
| Species | S. ayresi |
33. Hornbill
Hornbills are a tropical and subtropical bird species with characteristic long, curved bills. Their English and scientific names both refer to the shape of their bill which resembles that of a cow’s horn.
They have strong beaks for cracking open hard-shelled fruits as well as powerful wings for flying between trees or over great distances in search of food or mates.
Hornbills also feature beautiful plumage ranging from white to black feathers with yellow, brown, red and blue accents on the head, neck and back areas depending on the species.
In addition they often display brightly coloured casques – helmet like structures – atop their upper mandible adding further visual appeal to these majestic birds.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Bucerotidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
Also Featured In: Birds of South African, Birds That Live in the Jungle
34. Lappet-Faced Vulture
The Lappet-faced Vulture is a large bird of prey belonging to the Accipitriformes order. It has an unmistakable look, with its bare head and neck, white body and brown wings.
This species is native to Africa where it can be found in very dry areas such as deserts or semi-deserts. They feed mainly on carrion but they also eat small animals like lizards or rodents if needed.
Their strong bill helps them tear through tough hides while their long legs help them find food easier by allowing them to walk around looking for it instead of relying solely on soaring high up into the sky like other vultures do to locate carcasses from afar.
The Lappet-faced Vulture plays a crucial role in cleaning up carcasses which otherwise would spread diseases quickly throughout African ecosystems.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Torgos Kaup, 1828 |
| Species | T. tracheliotos |
Also Featured In: Common Kenyan Birds, African Birds
35. Bucorvus
Bucorvus is a species of large bird from the family Bucorvidae, endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. They are approximately 1m tall and both species have black feathers with patches of red or purple on their wings and neck.
The Abyssinian ground hornbill occurs in a belt from Senegal east to Ethiopia while the southern ground hornbill lives in Southern and East Africa.
Ground Hornbills are omnivorous birds that feed mainly on insects, snakes, lizards, small mammals as well as fruits like figs.
They also build nests high up in trees which they line with mud for insulation before laying eggs inside them.
Their legs are very long allowing them to walk over distances looking for food sources easily compared to other avian speciesScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Bucorvidae Bonaparte, 1854 |
| Genus | Bucorvus Lesson, 1830 |
Also Featured In: Uganda Birds Species, Savanna Birds You Need to See
36. Old World Babbler
The Old World babbler bird is a passerine bird characterized by soft and fluffy plumage, with diverse size and coloration.
They are commonly found in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
The Old World babblers are one of two groups known as babblers, with the other being the Australasian babblers.
These birds have a unique appearance and create a charming atmosphere with their soft, mellow sound.
They live in a wide range of environments from forests to gardens and thrive on insects and fruits.
Old World babblers are typically social birds that often travel in groups, with some even engaging in communal living.
Despite their somewhat small size, these birds are beloved among birdwatchers, and many people enjoy observing them in their natural habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Timaliidae Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 |
Also Featured In: Asian Birds, Most Common Taiwan Birds
37. Degodi Lark
The Degodi lark is a bird species found only in Ethiopia. It was previously considered its own species, but is now considered a subspecies of Gillett’s lark.
However, not all authorities have adopted this taxonomic change. The bird is also known as the Sidamo lark.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Alaudidae |
| Genus | Mirafra |
| Species | M. gilletti |
| Subspecies | M. g. degodiensis |
