ETHIOPIA: Birding the ‘Roof of ’ A Tropical Birding Custom Trip

October 29 – November 18, 2011 Guide: Ken Behrens

All photos taken by Ken Behrens during this trip

TOUR SUMMARY This was a highly successful trip both in terms of endemics and total number of encountered. We found all the and Abyssinian endemics save the scarce Linneated Pytilia and, of course, Nechisar . We racked up 565 of birds, another excellent total for this tour, which consistently scores some of our highest trip lists in Africa. We also notched up 44 mammals, a surprisingly high total for a country that is well off the main ʻsafariʼ circuit. We had excellent encounters with all of Ethiopiaʼs most sought-after endemics such as the bizarre Stresemannʼs Bush , a communal cooperative ʻwhite-crowʼ, and the enigmatic and spectacular Prince Ruspoliʼs Turaco. In the highlands, we found one of the worldʼs tamest rallids, the dapper Rougetʼs Rail, which shares its moist highland habitat with the delicate Spot-breasted Lapwing, the fiery-throated , and the strange Blue-winged Goose, an offshoot of a group of South American waterfowl. Another great that we found in the south was Sidamo Lark, which might actually be one of the most beautiful Ethiopian birds in its own cryptic way. Other more common, but no less impressive endemics we sighted include the Thick- billed Raven, endowed with a bill that looks like it could open a tin can, the dapper Black-winged Lovebird, striking Banded Barbet, and the audacious White-cheeked Turaco. In terms of rare and unexpected birds, this tour was also a success. In this department, we had Long-legged Buzzard, Imperial Eagle, Ayresʼs Hawk-Eagle, endangered Saker Falcon, a trio of rare plovers: Pacific Golden-Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and Greater Sandplover, Eurasian

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Curlew, more than 10 Star-spotted , Green-backed and Scaly-throated , Black-crowned Sparrow-lark, Black Cuckoo-, Purple-banded , Starling, Salvadoriʼs () Weaver, a whole flock of Abyssinian Crimsonwings, Long-tailed (Exclamatory) Paradise-Whydah, and perhaps most surprising of all, several indigobirds in Gibe Gorge that were clearly not Village Indigobirds, and were likely Pale-winged (Wilsonʼs), based on their vocalizations and the presence of the host species (Bar-breasted Firefinch). The weather was one of the most notable features of this tour. In the north, it was dry, but due to the recently concluded rainy season, the countryside was green and lush, and the local people were harvesting grain using picturesque and seemingly timeless methods. The south was experiencing heavy rains during our visit, which created some difficulties in getting around, but more than compensated us with a chance to see this normally dry environment clothed in greenery and bursting with birdsong. This was a custom tour for a group of friends from the United States. A large proportion of the tours run by Tropical Birding are custom trips, as the company offers great flexibility and reasonable prices for this kind of trip. Though custom, the route and duration of this trip were very similar to our normal set departure tour. The one exception was a different return route to Addis which cut out Nechisar National Park and spent more time in the central Rift Valley instead; a last- minute change that we made in response to heavy rain in the south and the doubtful condition of the road in that park.

The beautiful and scarce Red-naped Bush-Shrike made a good showing on this tour. With lots of rain in the south, these guys were active and very responsive to tape.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 ITINERARY

October 29 Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos area October 30 Jemmu Valley October 31 Ankober Escarpment. Afternoon at Melka Ghebdu November 1 Ankober to Awash NP November 2 Awash NP November 3 Awash NP to Bilen Lodge November 4 Bilen Lodge to Bishangari Lodge November 5 Bishangari to Abiata-Shalla NP November 6 Langano to Wondo Genet November 7 Wondo Genet to Bale Mountains NP November 8 Bale Mountains NP (Sanetti Plateau) November 9 Sof Omar (day trip from Goba) November 10 Goba to Negele November 11 Negele November 12 Negele to Yabello November 13 Yabello November 14 Yabello November 15 Yabello to Lake Awassa November 16 Awassa to Bishangari Lodge November 17 Bishangari to Addis Ababa November 18 Gibe Gorge. Evening departures.

Northern Carmine Bee-eater with Great White Pelicans behind. A typical Rift Valley lake sight.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 PHOTO GALLERY Follows tourʼs chronology

Dusky Turtle-Dove is common even in Addis Ababa. This is certainly one of the best-looking members of its .

Abyssinian Longclaw (left) and Rueppell’s Chat (right), a pair of endemics that are easily found on the northern mountain massif, north of Addis.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

A massive male Gelada: a ferocious-looking vegetarian with a vocabulary second only to that of humans!

A beautiful charaxes butterfly (left) and a male Black-winged Bishop (right) in breeding plumage.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

The timing of this tour just after the rains meant that the always beautiful Ethiopian landscapes were even more spectacular with a carpet of green grass and tawny grain.

It is hard to imagine a more spectacular setting for birding than the edge of the Ankober Escarpment.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

We enjoyed close views of a small flock of the endemic Ankober Serin.

While searching for the serin, several good raptors cruised by, including this massive Verreaux’s Eagle.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

We enjoyed watching this odd and spectacular couple of a Kori Bustard and a Northern Carmine Bee-eater stalking through the grasses of Awash National Park. The bee-eater made periodic sallies to catch scared up by the tromping bustard.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

An adult and juvenile Blue-breasted Bee-eater at Melka Ghebdu.

Fan-tailed Ravens abound in Ethiopia, especially in rocky country.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

In the Awash region, we found scarce species like the Arabian Bustard (left) and Madagascar Bee-eater (right). Although the Arabian Bustard has a large range, it is under heavy pressure throughout most of this range, and Ethiopia is now probably the best place in the world to see this large and impressive bustard.

A Somali Fiscal surveys the arid of Awash.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

We found some great Sahel birds in the Awash region: Black Scrub-Robin (left) and Scissor-tailed Kite (right)

A beautiful male Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

We had a mega night drive in Awash. One of our prizes was this Three-banded .

Another great sighting on that night was not just one, but over 10 Star-spotted Nightjars!

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

A road-killed camel along the road to Bilen attracted 100s of vultures, an amazing spectacle.

The dead camel drew in a few Lappet-faced, which are impressive in flight but even more so on the ground when their massive bill and brooding presence gives them an obvious superiority over the other vultures.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

The great-looking White-headed Buffalo-Weaver is very different from other buffalo-weavers.

Sunset at Lake Abiata, where we found this flock of 1000s of White-winged Terns along with a bunch of rare shorebirds.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

The Bale Mountains were particularly green and beautiful after the recent rains.

Blue-winged Goose (left) is a resident endemic, while Lesser Kestrel (right) is a migrant from the Palearctic.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

Salvadori’s Serin was easily found at Sof Omar, during our day trip from Goba.

Palearctic migrants like this Pied Wheater (left) are always a great part of an Ethiopia tour. The resident species like this White-bellied Go-away-bird (right) are also wonderful!

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

An Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove. These iridescent spots are not usually so easy to see!

Red-and-yellow Barbets were active and vocal amidst the greenery and flowers of the rainy south.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

We found a pair of fine larks on the Liben Plain: Sidamo Lark (left) and Somali Short-toed Lark (right).

The normally parched south was lush and green, the air scrubbed clear and clean by the recent rains, and the sky full of billowing clouds. It was magical to see southern Ethiopia like this.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

Shelley’s Rufous-Sparrows stealing some chicken feed!

The highly localized African White-winged Dove (left). This one had lost all of its tail save one feather. Scaly Chatterer (right) is always tricky to find.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

Bristle-crowned Starling (left) and Somali Courser (right).

A herd of gerenuk. This elegant but improbably proportioned antelope is always a joy to watch.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

Two colorful southerners: a nesting Red-bellied Parrot (left) and Vulturine Guineafowl (right).

After a long search, we finally found Red-fronted Warbler (left). Northern Canaries (right) were much more common and conspicuous on this trip.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

Birds and humans coexist peacefully around Ethiopia’s Rift Valley lakes.

A pair of tiny African Pygmy-Geese at Lake Awassa.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

The Rift Valley lakes offer a bounty of birds, many of which are bold and colorful. Here are a Malachite Kingfisher (left) and a young African Fish-Eagle (right).

We had an amazing encounter with this African Quailfinch at Lake Cheleleka. This bird is always difficult to see on the ground, and is especially uncommon in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011

We saw exceptional numbers of Abyssinian Rollers on this tour.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 BIRD LIST

Family treatment follows The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World 6.6 (including 2011 updates). Nomenclature largely follows Clements as well, though well-known alternate names are often included in parentheses. Some splits recognized in Birds of Africa South of the Sahara by Sinclair and Ryan but not Clements are included, along with a couple of distinctive forms of Yellow currently lumped by most authorities.

STRUTHIONIFORMES: Struthionidae Somali (Common) Ostrich Struthio (c.) molybdophanes PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Great Cormorant (White-breasted) Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae Darter Anhinga melanogaster CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Goliath Heron Ardea goliath Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret Ardea alba Intermediate Egret (Yellow-billed) Egretta intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Striated Heron Butorides striata H Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus CICONIIFORMES: Scopidae Scopus umbretta CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Black Stork Ciconia nigra Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus White Stork Ciconia ciconia Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash Wattled Ibis Bostrychia carunculata Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus African Spoonbill Platalea alba PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanoptera Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus African Black Duck Anas sparsa Eurasian Teal Anas crecca Cape Teal Anas capensis Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata Northern Pintail Anas acuta Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota Garganey Anas querquedula Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii Black Kite Milvus migrans Yellow-billed (Black) Kite Milvus (migrans) aegyptius African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates Eastern Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus Micronisus gabar Accipiter tachiro Shikra Accipiter badius Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris Common (Steppe) Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Augur Buzzard Buteo augur Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster Booted Eagle Aquila pennata Ayres's Hawk-Eagle Aquila ayresii Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus FALCONIFORMES: Sagittariidae Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius FALCONIFORMES: Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Eurasian (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Fox Kestrel Falco alopex Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Saker Falcon Falco cherrug

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Coqui Francolin Francolinus coqui Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena Moorland Francolin Francolinus psilolaemus Scaly Francolin Francolinus squamatus Clapperton's Francolin Francolinus clappertoni H Harwood's Francolin Francolinus harwoodi Yellow-necked Francolin (Spurfowl) Francolinus leucoscepus Chestnut-naped Francolin Francolinus castaneicollis Erckel's Francolin Francolinus erckelii Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei GALLIFORMES: Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Vulturine Guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum GRUIFORMES: Gruidae Black Crowned-Crane Balearica pavonina Common Crane Grus grus Rouget's Rail Rougetius rougetii Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata GRUIFORMES: Otididae Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori White-bellied Bustard (Northern) Eupodotis senegalensis Buff-crested Bustard Eupodotis gindiana : Jacanidae African Jacana Actophilornis africanus CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis CHARADRIIFORMES: Somali Courser somalensis Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus Collared Glareola pratincola CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus Spot-breasted Lapwing V.melanocephalus Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva Black-bellied (Grey) Plover Pluvialis squatarola Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Greater Sand-Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Little Stint Calidris minuta Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Ruff Philomachus pugnax CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Heuglin's (Lesser Black-backed) Gull Larus fuscus heuglini Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea White-collared Pigeon Columba albitorques

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Rameron (Olive) Pigeon Columba arquatrix Lemon Dove Columba larvata Eurasian Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur Dusky Turtle-Dove Streptopelia lugens African Collared-Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea White-winged Dove Streptopelia reichenowi African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed Dove Strept.semitorquata Ring-necked Dove (Cape Turtle) Streptopelia capicola Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea Laughing Dove Strept. senegalensis Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Black-winged Lovebird Agapornis taranta Red-bellied Parrot (African Orange-bellied) Poicephalus rufiventris Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons CUCULIFORMES: Musophagidae White-cheeked Turaco Tauraco leucotis Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii Bare-faced Go-away-bird Coryth. personatus White-bellied Go-away-bird Coryth. leucogaster Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Pied (Jacobin) Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius H Cuculus canorus Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus H Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis Northern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis Grayish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum African Long-eared Owl Asio abyssinicus : Caprimulgidae Sombre Nightjar fraenatus Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar Caprimulgus donaldsoni Abyssinian Nightjar (Montane) Caprim. poliocephalus Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus Star-spotted Nightjar Caprimulgus stellatus Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus APODIFORMES: Apodidae Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis Common Swift Apus apus Nyanza Swift Apus niansae Little Swift Apus affinis White-rumped Swift Apus caffer COLIIFORMES: Coliidae Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae European Roller Coracias Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus Rufous-crowned Roller (Purple) Coracias noevius CORACIIFORMES: Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 CORACIIFORMES: Phoeniculidae Black-billed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus somaliensis Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus Abyssinian Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus minor CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Northern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus flavirostris Von der Decken's Hornbill Tockus deckeni Hemprich's Hornbill Tockus hemprichii African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna brevis Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus : Capitonidae Red-and-yellow Barbet Trachyp. erythrocephalus Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyp. margaritatus D'Arnaud's Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Red-fronted Barbet Tricholaema diademata Black-throated Barbet Tricho. melanocephala Banded Barbet Lybius undatus Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus PICIFORMES: Indicatoridae Green-backed (Honeybird) Prodotiscus zambesiae Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor Scaly-throated Honeyguide Indicator variegatus Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator PICIFORMES: Picidae Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla Rufous-necked Wryneck Jynx ruficollis Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica Abyssinian Woodpecker Dendropicos abyssinicus Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus Gray-headed Woodpecker Dendropicos spodocephalus PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Singing Bushlark Mirafra cantillans Red-winged Lark Mirafra hypermetra Gillett's Lark Mirafra gilletti Sidamo Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis Foxy Lark Calendulauda alopex Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix signatus Erlanger's Lark Calandrella erlangeri Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica Thekla Lark Galerida theklae PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Black Sawwing (Brown & Blue) Psalidoprocne pristoptera Plain Martin (Brown-throated) Riparia paludicola Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) Riparia riparia Banded Martin Riparia cincta Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula House Martin Delichon urbicum Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica PASSERIFORMES: African Anthus cinnamomeus Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis Motacilla alba African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Western Yellow Wagtail (Blue-headed) Motacilla flava flava Western Yellow Wagtail (Gray-headed) Motacilla flava thunbergi Western Yellow Wagtail (Black-headed) Motacilla flava feldegg Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia Black Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga phoenicea PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus schoanus Common Bulbul (Somali) Pycnonotus barbatus somaliensis

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Common Bulbul (Dodson's) Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni Common Bulbul (Dark-capped) Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis Little Rock-Thrush Monticola rufocinereus Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius Abyssinian Ground-Thrush Zoothera piaggiae Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsipsirupa Olive Thrush (Mountain) Turdus olivaceus African Thrush Turdus pelios African Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus PASSERIFORMES: Red-faced Cisticola erythrops Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus Winding (Ethiopian) Cisticola Cisticola galactotes lugubris Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus H Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis Siffling Cisticola (Short-winged) Cisticola brachypterus Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nana Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Pale Prinia Prinia somalica Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons Camaroptera brachyura Green-backed (Gray-backed) Camaroptera brevicaudata Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex Yellow-vented Eremomela Eremomela flavicrissalis Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis PASSERIFORMES: Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri African Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinica Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Brown Warbler (Parisoma) Parisoma lugens Bale (Brown) Warbler (Parisoma) Parisoma lugens griseiventre Banded Warbler Parisoma boehmi PASSERIFORMES: Northern Sylvietta brachyura Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii Somali Crombec Sylvietta isabellina PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae Sedge Warbler Acro. schoenobaenus Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Lesser Swamp-Warbler (Cape Reed) Acrocephalus gracilirostris PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala H Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus African Gray Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis chocolatinus Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Rueppell's Robin-Chat Cossypha semirufa White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla Spotted Morning-Thrush Cichladusa guttata Red-backed Scrub-Robin (White-browed) Cercotrichas leucophrys Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Stonechat (European) Saxicola rubicola [maurus Group] Stonechat (Ethiopian) Saxicola torquatus albofasciatus Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Mourning (Abyssinian Black / Schalow's) Wheatear Oenanthe lugens lugubris Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Red-breasted Wheatear (Botta´s) Oenanthe bottae Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris Brown-tailed Chat Cercomela scotocerca Sombre Chat Cercomela dubia Blackstart Cercomela melanura Moorland Chat Cercomela sordida Rueppell's Chat (Black-Chat) Myrmecocichla melaena Mocking Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris White-winged Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea semirufa PASSERIFORMES: Platysteiridae Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea Gray-headed Batis Batis orientalis Black-headed Batis Batis minor Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae Scaly Chatterer Turdoides aylmeri Rufous Chatterer Turdoides rubiginosa White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygia PASSERIFORMES: Paridae White-winged Black-Tit Melaniparus leucomelas White-backed Black-Tit Melaniparus leuconotus Somali Tit (Northern Gray) Melaniparus thruppi PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus PASSERIFORMES: Remizidae Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus musculus PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes orientalis Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris Nile Valley Sunbird Hedydipna metallica Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura ragazzii Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chal. senegalensis Hunter's Sunbird Chalcomitra hunteri Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus Mariqua Sunbird (Marico) Cinnyris mariquensis Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Broad-ringed White-eye (Montane) Zosterops poliogastrus White-breasted White-eye (Abyssinian) Zosterops abyssinicus PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Dark-headed Oriole (Abyssinian) Oriolus monacha African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Red-backed Shrike collurio Rufous-tailed Shrike (Isabelline) Lanius isabellinus Southern Gray Shrike Lanius meridionalis Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis Somali Fiscal Lanius somalicus Common Fiscal Lanius collaris Lanius nubicus Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator White-rumped Shrike (Northern White- crowned) rueppelli PASSERIFORMES: Malaconotidae Brubru Nilaus afer Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis Pringle's Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi Red-naped Bushshrike Laniarius ruficeps Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris Rosy-patched Bushshrike Rhodophoneus cruentus Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus Gray-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti PASSERIFORMES: Prionopidae White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis PASSERIFORMES: Stresemann's Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni Red-billed Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Cape Crow capensis Corvus albus Somali Crow Corvus edithae Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus Thick-billed Raven Corvus crassirostris PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lampr. chloropterus Rueppell's Glossy-Starling Lampr. purpuroptera Golden-breasted Starling Lamprotornis regius Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus Shelley's Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi Violet-backed Starling (Plum, Amethyst) Cinnyricinclus leucogaster White-crowned Starling Spreo albicapillus Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris Bristle-crowned Starling Onychognathus salvadorii White-billed Starling Onychognathus albirostris Sharpe's Starling Pholia sharpii H Magpie Starling Speculipastor bicolor Red-billed Oxpecker Buph.erythrorhynchus PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Shelley's Rufous Sparrow Passer shelleyi Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii Passer eminibey Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita Bush Petronia Petronia dentata PASSERIFORMES: Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver niger White-headed Buffalo-Weaver Dinemellia dinemelli Speckle-fronted Weaver frontalis White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus Gray-headed Social-Weaver (-capped) arnaudi Black-capped Social-Weaver Pseudonigrita cabanisi Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps baglafecht Ploceus luteolus Ploceus ocularis Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius Vitelline Masked-Weaver Ploceus vitellinus Rueppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula Speke's Weaver Ploceus spekei Ploceus cucullatus Salvadori's Weaver (Juba) Ploceus dichrocephalus Red-billed Quelea quelea Orange Bishop (Northern Red) franciscanus Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Euplectes capensis Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macroura Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia Green-backed Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula H Abyssinian Crimson-wing Cryptospiza salvadorii Fawn-breasted (Abyssinian) Waxbill Estrilda paludicola ochrogaster Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Red-rumped Waxbill (Black-cheeked) Estrilda charmosyna Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus Purple Grenadier Granatina ianthinogaster Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia Cut-throat Amadina fasciata Zebra Waxbill Sporaeginthus subflavus African Quailfinch Ortygospiza fuscocrissa African Silverbill Euodice cantans Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor PASSERIFORMES: Viduidae Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Eastern Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea Long-tailed (Exclamatory) Paradise- Whydah Vidua interjecta Straw-tailed Whydah Vidua fischeri Pale-winged (Wilson's) Indigobird Vidua wilsoni Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Ankober Serin Card. ankoberensis Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex Abyssinian Siskin Serinus nigriceps African Citril Serinus citrinelloides Reichenow's Seedeater Serinus reichenowi Yellow-rumped Serin (White-throated) Serinus xanthopygius Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus White-bellied Canary Serinus dorsostriatus Yellow-throated Serin Serinus flavigula

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Salvadori's Serin Serinus xantholaemus Northern Grosbeak-Canary Serinus donaldsoni Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus Brown-rumped Seedeater Serinus tristriatus PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Ortolan Emberiza hortulana House Bunting Emberiza striolata Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi Somali Bunting Emberiza poliopleura

H = Heard only

MAMMAL LIST

This list follows The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2003) by Jonathan Kingdon.

Guereza White Colobus Colobus guereza (abyssinicus) Sacred Baboon Papio hamadryas Olive Baboon Papio anubis Gelada (Baboon) Theropithecus gelada Grivet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops Verbet Monkey Cercopithecus (a.) pygerythrus Lesser Bushbaby Galago senegalensis Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis fagani Cape Hare Lepus capensis Striped Ground Squirrel Euxerus erythrops Unstriped Ground Squirrel Xerus rutilus Gambian Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus Giant Root Rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus Gerbil sp. (several genera) Groove-toothed Rat Otomys sp Blick's Grass Rat Arvicanthis blicki Golden Jackal Canis aureus Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas Abyssinian Wolf (Simien Fox) Canis simmensis Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011 Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta Common Genet Genetta genetta African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris Leopard Panthera pardus Ethiopian Rock Hyrax Procavia habessenica Yellow-spotted Hyrax Heterohyrax brucei Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Desert Warthog Phachochoerus aethiopicus Menelik´s Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki Mountain Nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni Lesser Kudu Tragelaphus imberbis Grey Duiker Sylvicappra grimmia Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus Salt´s Dik-dik Madoqua saltiana Guenther´s Dik-dik Madoqua guentheri Bohor Reedbuck Redunca redunca Grant´s Gazelle Gazella granti Soemmering´s Gazelle Gazella soemmerringi Gerenuk Litocranius walleri Beisa Oryx Oryx beisa

A pair of Soemmering’s gazelles in Awash National Park.

Ethiopia: Birding the Roof of Africa Oct 29 – Nov 18, 2011