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Home , Abyssinian ground thrush, Abyssinian longclaw, Abyssinian roller, Abyssinian scimitarbill, Abyssinian woodpecker, African hobby

: Birding the Roof of

A Tropical Birding Set Departure

February 8-26, 2016 Guide: Ken Behrens

All photos taken during this trip by Ken Behrens

TOUR SUMMARY

This was the new version of our set-departure trip, which was designed to take in virtually all of Ethiopia’s endemics in just 17 days of birding, plus arrival and departure days. Instead of offering the south only as an extension, we have included it in the main tour. This is both because the itinerary makes sense run in this way, and because few people want to miss the of the south such as the Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. The south can also be visited in much more comfort (in terms of hotels) than a few years ago; more on that below. This shortened itinerary proved to be very well designed, though definitely fast-paced. We racked up 520 of birds and 41 in just 17 days of birding. As usual, this haul included virtually all of the Ethiopian and Abyssinian (shared with ) endemics. Among these, highlights included hefty Blue-winged Goose, elusive Harwood’s Francolin, dapper Spot-breasted , stunning White-cheeked and Prince Ruspoli’s Turacos, diminutive Abyssinian , Black-winged Lovebird, Yellow-fronted , extremely rare Sidamo , -like Stresemann’s Bush-, White-tailed , and melodious songster Abyssinian Catbird.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 But endemics are only part of the picture in Ethiopia. It also offers excellent general African birding, from abundant Palearctic migrants, to Afromontane forest species, to teeming Rift Valley wetlands, to Somali-Masai biome birds in the dry lowlands. Non-endemic prizes included Vulturine Guineafowl, Clapperton’s Francolin, Secretary-, Lammergeier, massive monkey-eating Crowned Hawk-, Arabian and Hartlaub’s , Black Crowned-Crane, three species of sandgrouse, rare White-winged Collared-Dove, massive Cape Eagle-Owl, African Long-eared Owl, Donaldson-Smith’s and Star-spotted Nightajars, Half-collared , Silvery-cheeked (by the dozens), Double-toothed Barbet, Scaly-throated , Pygmy , Pringle’s Puffback, Red-naped , African Spotted-Creeper, extremely local Boran , Yellow-vented Eremomela, Black Scrub-Robin, Abyssinian Ground-, and Nile Valley .

Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, perhaps the most sought-after bird in Ethiopia.

Finally, it must be said that birds are only a part of the pleasure in travelling in Ethiopia. It is a spectacularly beautiful mountainous country, and many parts of it seem frozen in time and much as they were in the middle ages. Ethiopian cuisine is delicious, and most people find dining an unexpected pleasure in a country that is internationally stereotyped as a land of starvation! Doro wot, tibs, and “fasting food” (vegetarian) usually rank among the favorites of visitors.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Accommodation has always been the “Achilles Heel” of Ethiopia; many potential visitors didn’t want to deal with the poor hotels that we formerly had to use in some locations. The great news is that Ethiopian hotels are improving at a remarkable rate. This can be demonstrated concretely by a look at the hotels that we now use on our set-departure tour. We stay in 12 different hotels during the 19-day tour. Half of these are brand new or fairly new, ranging from only a few months old to about 10 years old. Two lodges have recently been completely renovated, while one is in the process of expanding and renovating. Only three of the hotels are more than 10 years old. Ethiopia’s hotel boom has been going on for some time, with the accommodations on a birding tour steadily improving. But until recently, there was still one place on a birding tour where you still had to endure at least two nights in a horrible hotel: the southern town of Negele. That town’s Green Motel was a byword among birders; a hotel so bad that it was legendary! It was so bad that I once had a whole tour group make shirts (green of course) after the trip that read “I survived the Green Motel”! For many people, the prospect of the Green Motel was enough to dissuade them from taking a birding tour to Ethiopia. I am happy to report that within the last two years, not one but THREE new hotels have Quoth the Fan-tailed Raven: “nevermore shall we stay in Negele’s Green Motel!” opened in

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Negele. All of them are comfortable, with hot water and decent beds. What this means, is that it’s possible to do a full birding tour of Ethiopia without staying in a basic hotel. To be sure, Ethiopia is not yet on the same level as destinations like and , where you can stay at excellent lodges for the duration of a tour. But it certainly doesn’t deserve the dire reputation that it still maintains. These days, Ethiopia’s birding tour accommodations are easily on par with those of more-visited countries like or . Ethiopia has always been a wonderful destination for its abundant endemic birds and mammals, beautiful mountain landscapes, fascinating history, and friendly people. Thankfully, it is quickly becoming a destination that allows people to experience these wonders while staying in very nice lodges and hotels. Already, it is possible to do a birding tour in Ethiopia without spending one night in a bad hotel. If you have ever crossed Ethiopia off your list of possible trips due to the idea that its hotels were diabolical, think again!

The endemic Black-winged Lovebird, which we saw right in the capital of Addis Ababa.

Our trip started in the northern highlands, a zone rich in endemics like Wattled Ibis, Blue- winged Goose, and Abyssinian . Even the capital of Addis Ababa supports several endemics and near-endemics like White-collared Pigeon, Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher, and Swainson’s Sparrow. This area also offers some spectacular scenery, with deep gorges carved

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 into the mountain massif by tributaries of the Blue Nile. Remnant forest patches clinging to the sides of the escarpment held species like White-backed Black , White-cheeked Turaco, Banded Barbet, Slender-billed and White-billed , and . Dropping off the highlands and into the deep Jemmu Valley, we sought out the highly localized Harwood’s and Erckel’s Francolins, and had great views of both. Climbing back onto the plateau, we made our way to the Ankober escarpment, at well over 10,000 feet, where we saw the scarce endemic Ankober Serin, alongside a large and photogenic troop of Geladas.

The shy, rare, and extremely localized Harwood’s Francolin, in the Jemmu Valley.

After a night perched in our spectacular lodge near Ankober, we dropped all the way into the Great Rift Valley, to explore the Awash region. This region was experiencing a severe drought, which made it difficult to find many birds and mammals, though that inconvenience was certainly trivial compared with the impending suffering that seemed likely in the area. With lots of hard work, scouring the dry and often lifeless-seeming plains, we found most of the Awash specialty birds like Arabian, Kori, and White-bellied Bustards, Black-headed Lapwing, Chestnut- bellied Sandgrouse, African Collared-Dove, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, , Red-winged and Gillett’s , Sombre , and Black Scrub-Robin. Mammals were thin on the plains, but we did spot Golden Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Lesser Kudu, Beisa Oryx, and heard two big predators at night: and Spotted Hyaena.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 When we made our way south into the narrower part of the Rift Valley, it was a relief to leave the drought of the Awash region, and to encounter lush lakeside woodlands and teeming wetlands. On top of the “list-padding” bounty of wetland and woodland birds, we saw some specific targets like Clapperton’s Francolin, Red-necked , Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, and Green-backed Twinspot. Langano is a great place for nocturnal species; we saw Freckled and Slender-tailed , Northern White- faced Owl, and Grayish and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls. Although the next stop in our original itinerary had been the southern highlands of Bale Mountains National Park, we decided to re-route our tour due to a

recent flare up of anti-government protests. We Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley is loaded headed south to Yabello first, hoping that things would with birds, many of which, like the Marabou Stork, and shockingly tame. calm down in Bale in time for us to visit that area a few days later. As it turned out, running the southern portion of the trip in reverse worked perfectly. But the situation was a bit nerve- wracking, and it can be hoped that equitable resolutions to the conflicts within Ethiopia can be found, and that this wonderful country remains open to visitors. On the plus side, there has never been any animosity directed towards foreigners; we were simply impacted by road blockages calculated to register discontent with In lush woodland adjacent Lake Langano, we saw the elusive Green-backed Twinspot. the ruling regime.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 The Yabello area was even better than normal, as in stark contrast to the Awash region, this part of Ethiopia had recently experienced heavy rains. We easily found the core specialties of the area: Stresemann’s Bush-Crow and White-tailed Swallow. The good conditions also made it especially easy to locate virtually all of the Somali-Masai biome specialties like Pygmy , Tiny Cisticola, Scaly Chatterer, Yellow- Gray-headed Silverbill was an unexpected sighting near Yabello. vented Eremomela, Foxy Lark, Boran Cisticola, African Bare-eyed Thrush, and Shelley’s . A flock of Gray-headed Silverbills was a nice surprise. The sweeping savannah scenery of this region is always beautiful, and was especially breathtaking on this visit, clad in lush rain-fueled greenery. One downside of our changed itinerary was that we arrived at the Dawa River, between Yabello and Negele, at mid-day, in the baking heat, and were unable to locate the localized Salvadori’s Weaver. Thankfully we still managed to see the equally local White-winged Collared-Dove. At the end of a long and dusty day’s drive, we made it to Negele, where we were delighted to check into one of the town’s new hotels, which now south of Yabello. even offers Wifi! During our full day in the Negele area, we managed to find all of the major specialty birds: Liben Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, White-crowned Starling, Speke’s Weaver, and perhaps

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Ethiopia’s top bird: the Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. It was heartening to see a conservation scheme being implemented in which parts of the Liben Plain were protected from over-grazing by newly constructed fences. This did make it devilishly difficult to see the Liben Lark on the ground, but was a wonderful sign for the future of this rare and localized bird. We had done so well in the Yabello area that there were few thorn-scrub birds left to find; our only major target in this category was the Three-streaked , which we quickly located at my normal stakeout. Having made careful inquiries, we found that tensions had calmed in the Bale Mountains, and we were able to travel there without a problem, though we did see the remnants of several roadblocks along the way. Although this hadn’t been the original plan, it was actually nice to end the trip in the Bales, bastion of some of Ethiopia’s best endemic birds and mammals, like Spot- breasted Lapwing, Rouget’s , Chestnut- naped Francolin, Ethiopian Wolf, and Mountain Nyala. This park also has stunning The beautiful Mountain Nyala, one of the prize mammals of the Bales. scenery, and boasts

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Africa’s highest “all-weather” road. Having quickly found all the high-elevation specialties, we made a day trip out to Sof Omar for the rare endemic Salvadori’s Serin. As always, that middle-of- nowhere spots holds some other nice birds as well, like Mottled , Brown-tailed Chat, and a very out-of-place Narina Trogon. Because we had done so well in the Bale area, we left a day early, and spend an extra night in Awassa. By this point in the trip, there weren’t many new birds possible, but we did catch up with the odd African Spotted Creeper. Our final day was spent driving back to Addis, where we enjoyed a final Ethiopian feast and some traditional dancing.

An Ethiopian Wolf trotting across Afro-Alpine grassland at 13,000 feet; as far as you can possibly get from the dusty, famine-plagued Ethiopia of stereotype!

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 ITINERARY

February 8 Arrival in Addis Ababa February 9 Addis to Liben Plain to Debre Libanos February 10 Jemmu Valley to Debre Birhan February 11 Debre Birhan to Ankober to Melka Ghebdu February 12 Ankober to Awash NP February 13 Awash NP February 14 Awash NP to Bilen February 15 Bilen to Rift Valley lakes to Lake Langano February 16 Lake Langano February 17 Langano to Awassa February 18 Awassa to Yabello February 19 Yabello February 20 Yabello to Negele February 21 Negele area February 22 Negele to Goba February 23 Sof Omar February 24 Bale Mountains NP to Awassa February 25 Awassa to Addis Ababa February 26 Departure from Addis Ababa

Purple Grenadier, one of many beautiful little waxbills found in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 PHOTO GALLERY Follows tour’s chronology

Ortolan Bunting was one of the first birds we found on this tour, on the Sululta Plain.

White-cheeked Turaco in the patch of forest adjacent the Debre Libanos monastery.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Geladas are incredibly creatures: expressive, intelligent, and beautiful.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

A Lappet-faced Vulture being escorted by a couple of Fan-tailed Ravens.

In the Jemmu Valley, we saw Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver (left) and Blue Rock-Thrush (right).

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

On the way though the Afar Plain, we saw Rufous-crowned Roller (left) and Hamadryas (right).

Northern Red-billed Hornbill is common at lower elevations in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Dry country species in Awash NP: Mouse-coloured Penduline-Tit (left) and Shining Sunbird (right).

Despite the dry conditions, we saw a few mammals in Awash, including Common Warthog.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

A male Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse on the parched and over-grazed plains of Awash.

It was hard work, but we eventually found Awash specialties White-bellied (left) and Red-winged Lark (right).

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Around Bilen Lodge, we saw Northern Carmine -eater (left) and White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (right).

Grevy’s Zebra is largely confined to the .

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Yellow-breasted Barbet is common next to the bungalows at Bilen Lodge.

After leaving Awash, we went south into the lusher portion of the Rift Valley, which supports an abundance of waterbirds like the Sacred Ibis.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Northern White-faced Owl (left) and Hemprich’s Hornbill (right) at Lake Langano.

This Irania was a prized and unexpected sighting at Bishangari Lodge.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

White-rumped Babbler (left) and Common (right) on the shores of Lake Langano.

A Blue-breasted Bee-eater showing off all of its many colors.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

The Yellow-crowned Parrot is a rapidly declining Ethiopian endemic.

The Mountain Gray Woodpecker is found both in the mountains and in the central Rift Valley.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

The Guerza Colobus is common in the woodlands around Lake Awassa.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Around Lake Awassa, tame Brown-throated Wattle-Eye (left) was a surprise, while tame Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (right) was more typical.

Lake Awassa may be the best place in Africa to get close to African Pygmy Goose. Like many other species, this one is shy and unapproachable throughout most of its range, but is amazingly tame in Ethiopia, making this country a paradise for bird photographers.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill is wonderfully common in woodland and forest in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Yabello’s thornscrub was pumping with birds like Abyssinian (left) and Northern Grosbeak Canary (right).

The Red-naped Bushshrike is not endemic, but is still one of southern Ethiopia’s most sought-after birds.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

The Yabello area still has some mammals outside of protected areas, like this Grant’s Gazelle.

Pygmy Falcon (left), and the Yabello-area specialty Stresemann’s Bush-Crow (right).

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

The or Dwarf Raven is common in southern Ethiopia.

One localized bird, the White-winged Collared-Dove, and one very widespread one: the Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

The delectable Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco.

In the Bale Mountains, we connected with a huge flock of the endemic Spot-breasted Lapwing.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

One of many endemics in the Bale Mountains: the Blue-winged Goose.

The Giant Root Rat is endemic to the heights of the Bale Mountains.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

Rouget’s Rail, one of the world’s least shy rails!

The rare Salvadori’s Serin at Sof Omar.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016

It’s always susprising to see Narina Trogon at Sof Omar.

African Spotted Creeper at Lake Awassa was one of our last new birds of the trip.

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 BIRD LIST

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World v2015 (including updates through August 2015).

STRUTHIONIFORMES: Struthionidae Somali Ostrich Struthio molybdophanes : Anatidae White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanoptera Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis African Pygmy-Goose Nettapus auritus Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha Northern Pintail Anas acuta Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota Garganey Anas querquedula Green-winged Teal Anas crecca NL Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa GALLIFORMES: Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Vulturine Guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Chestnut-naped Francolin Pternistis castaneicollis Erckel's Francolin Pternistis erckelii Scaly Francolin Pternistis squamatus Clapperton's Francolin Pternistis clappertoni Harwood's Francolin Pternistis harwoodi Yellow-necked Francolin Pternistis leucoscepus Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui Moorland Francolin Scleroptila psilolaema PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus Black Stork Ciconia nigra Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus White Stork Ciconia ciconia Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis SULIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens PELECANIFORMES: Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Goliath Heron Ardea goliath Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret Ardea alba Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Striated Heron Butorides striata Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash Wattled Ibis Bostrychia carunculata African Spoonbill Platalea alba : Sagittariidae Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius ACCIPITRIFORMES: Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Black-breasted -Eagle Circaetus pectoralis Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus (Western) Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus Polemaetus bellicosus Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga G Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Ayres's Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii Aquila rapax Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates Eastern (Pale) Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus Shikra Accipiter badius Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes Note* Accipiter nisus Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus Milvus migrans "Yellow-billed" Black Kite Milvus migrans parasitus African -Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer "Steppe" Common buteo vulpinus Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus Buteo augur OTIDIFORMES: Otididae Arabian Bustard arabs

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Ardeotis kori (Northern) White-bellied Bustard senegalensis Buff-crested Bustard Eupodotis gindiana : Rallidae Rouget's Rail Rougetius rougetii Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra African Porphyrio madagascariensis Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata GRUIFORMES: Gruidae Black Crowned-Crane Balearica pavonina Common Crane Grus grus G : Burhinidae Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta CHARADRIIFORMES: Spur-winged Plover spinosus Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris CHARADRIIFORMES: Rostratulidae Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae African Jacana Actophilornis africanus CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Ruff Calidris pugnax Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Little Stint Calidris minuta Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Somali Courser Cursorius somalensis Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus H CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Gray-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Pallas's (Great Black-headed) Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus Black-faced Sandgrouse Pterocles decoratus Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii COLUMBIFORMES: Rock Pigeon Columba livia Speckled Pigeon Columba White-collared Pigeon Columba albitorques Rameron (Olive) Pigeon Columba arquatrix Lemon Dove Columba larvata Dusky Turtle-Dove lugens African Collared-Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea White-winged Collared-Dove Streptopelia reichenowi Mourning Collared-Dove Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Ring-necked (Cape Turtle) Dove Streptopelia capicola Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea Laughing Dove Streptopelia 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 CUCULIFORMES: Musophagidae White-cheeked Turaco Tauraco leucotis Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus White-bellied Go-away-bird Corythaixoides leucogaster

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Red-chested Cuculus solitarius H Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Northern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis Grayish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii African Long-eared Owl Asio abyssinicus : Caprimulgidae Abyssinian (Montane) poliocephalus Star-spotted Nightjar Caprimulgus stellatus Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus : Apodidae Alpine Swift melba Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis Common Swift Apus apus Nyanza Swift Apus niansae Little Swift Apus affinis White-rumped Swift Apus caffer G African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus COLIIFORMES: Coliidae Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina : Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops CORACIIFORMES: Phoeniculidae Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Note* Black-billed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus somaliensis Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus Abyssinian Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus minor

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 CORACIIFORMES: Bucorvidae Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus 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 CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Halcyon chelicuti Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus CORACIIFORMES: Abyssinian Roller abyssinicus Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus Rufous-crowned (Purple) Roller Coracias naevius : Lybiidae Red-and-yellow Barbet Trachyphonus erythrocephalus Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyphonus 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 Tricholaema melanocephala Banded Barbet undatus Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus PICIFORMES: Indicatoridae Scaly-throated Honeyguide variegatus Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 PICIFORMES: Picidae Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla Rufous-necked (Red-throated) Wryneck Jynx ruficollis Nubian Woodpecker nubica Abyssinian Woodpecker abyssinicus Dendropicos fuscescens Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus Mountain Gray (Gray-headed) Woodpecker Dendropicos spodocephalus : Pygmy Falcon semitorquatus Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Eurasian (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Fox Kestrel Falco alopex Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus African Falco cuvierii Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Falco peregrinus PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae Black-winged Lovebird Agapornis taranta PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Red-bellied (African Orange-bellied) Parrot Poicephalus rufiventris Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons PASSERIFORMES: Platysteiridae Brown-throated Wattle-eye cyanea Gray-headed Batis Batis orientalis Black-headed Batis Batis minor Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae White (-crested) Prionops plumatus PASSERIFORMES: Malaconotidae Nilaus afer gambensis Pringle's Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi Red-naped Bushshrike ruficeps Tropical (Ethiopian) Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris Rosy-patched Bushshrike Rhodophoneus cruentus Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike sulfureopectus Gray-headed Bushshrike blanchoti

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Gray Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Isabelline isabellinus Southern Gray Shrike Lanius meridionalis Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitorius Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis Somali Fiscal Lanius somalicus Lanius humeralis Lanius nubicus White-rumped (-crowned) Shrike rueppelli PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Ethiopian Black-headed Oriole Oriolus monacha African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis PASSERIFORMES: Stresemann's Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni Red-billed Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax capensis Corvus albus Somali Crow Corvus edithae Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus Thick-billed Raven Corvus crassirostris PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Red-winged Lark hypermetra Gillett's Lark Mirafra gilletti Liben (Sidamo) Lark sidamoensis Foxy Lark alopex Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark signatus Erlanger's Lark erlangeri Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica Short-tailed Lark Pseudalaemon fremantlii Thekla Lark theklae PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Plain Martin paludicola Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Ptyonoprogne fuligula

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 rustica Hirundo aethiopica Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis Red-rumped Swallow daurica Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Cecropis senegalensis Common House-Martin urbicum Black Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera Gray-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga PASSERIFORMES: Paridae White-winged Black-Tit Melaniparus leucomelas White-backed Black-Tit Melaniparus leuconotus Somali Tit Melaniparus thruppi PASSERIFORMES: Remizidae Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus musculus PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae African Spotted-Creeper Salpornis salvadori PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Northern Brownbul strepitans "Common" Common Pycnonotus barbatus barbatus "Somali" Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus somaliensis "Dodson's" Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni "Dark-capped" Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus spurius PASSERIFORMES: Macrosphenidae Northern Sylvietta brachyura Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii Sylvietta isabellina PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus PASSERIFORMES: Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler cinnamomeus

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala PASSERIFORMES: Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus H "Ethiopian" Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes lugubris Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nana Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Pale Prinia Prinia somalica Yellow-vented Eremomela Eremomela flavicrissalis Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis PASSERIFORMES: Sylvidae Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri African Hill Babbler Sylvia abyssinica Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Banded Warbler (Parisoma) Sylvia boehmi Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Brown Warbler (Parisoma) Sylvia lugens Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Broad-ringed (Montane) White-eye Zosterops poliogastrus White-breasted (Abyssinian) White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae Scaly Chatterer Turdoides aylmeri Rufous Chatterer Turdoides rubiginosa White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygia PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Grayish (African Gray) Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus Abyssinian Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis chocolatinus Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides Dusky-brown (African Dusky) Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta Black Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas podobe Red-backed (White-browed) Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Rueppell's Robin-Chat Cossypha semirufa White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis Spotted Morning-Thrush Cichladusa guttata White-throated Robin (Irania) Irania gutturalis Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Little Rock-Thrush Monticola rufocinereus Rufous-tailed (Common) Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus "Ethiopian" African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus albofasciatus Rueppell's (Black) Chat Myrmecocichla melaena Mocking Cliff-Chat cinnamomeiventris White-winged Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea semirufa Brown-tailed Chat Cercomela scotocerca Sombre Chat Cercomela dubia Blackstart Cercomela melanura Moorland Chat Cercomela sordida Northern Oenanthe oenanthe "Abyssinian Black" Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens lugubris Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Abyssinian Ground-Thrush piaggiae Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa simensis Abyssinian (Olive) Thrush Turdus abyssinicus African Thrush Turdus pelios African Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio White-billed Starling Onychognathus albirostris Bristle-crowned Starling Onychognathus salvadorii Starling Speculipastor bicolor Shelley's Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi Rueppell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera Golden-breasted Starling Lamprotornis regius

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus White-crowned Starling Spreo albicapillus Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus PASSERIFORMES: Buphagidae Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Violet-backed Sunbird orientalis Collared Sunbird collaris Hedydipna metallica Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Hunter's Sunbird Chalcomitra hunteri Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa Beautiful Sunbird pulchellus Mariqua (Marico) Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus Note* Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus PASSERIFORMES: Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara White Wagtail Motacilla alba African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi Somali Bunting Emberiza poliopleura PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Ankober Serin Carduelis ankoberensis Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus Abyssinian Siskin Serinus nigriceps

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 African Citril Serinus citrinelloides Reichenow's Seedeater Serinus reichenowi Yellow-rumped Serin Serinus xanthopygius White-bellied Canary Serinus dorsostriatus Yellow-throated Serin Serinus flavigula Salvadori's Serin Serinus xantholaemus Northern Grosbeak-Canary Serinus donaldsoni Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus Brown-rumped Seedeater Serinus tristriatus PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Shelley's Rufous Sparrow shelleyi Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii Passer eminibey Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita Bush Petronia Petronia dentata PASSERIFORMES: Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver 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 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 Ploceus rubiginosus Red-billed Quelea quelea franciscanus Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer Euplectes capensis Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 PASSERIFORMES: Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia Green-backed Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula "Abyssinian" Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola ochrogaster Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Red-rumped (Black-cheeked) Waxbill Estrilda charmosyna Red-cheeked Cordonbleu bengalus ianthinogaster Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Cut-throat Amadina fasciata African Ortygospiza fuscocrissa Gray-headed Silverbill Odontospiza griseicapilla Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor cantans PASSERIFORMES: Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Eastern Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea G Steel-blue Whydah Vidua hypocherina Straw-tailed Whydah Vidua fischeri Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata

Bold = Ethiopia or Ethiopia/Eritrea endemic species. H = heard-only NL = not seen by Tropical Birding guide Note* = see below for more details

BIRDS: ADDITIONAL NOTES

Levant Sparrowhawk – a single individual that seemed a good fit for this species was seen soaring over Sof Omar. Pictures are available for anyone wishing to evaluate and confirm the ID, though they are distant.

Green Woodhoopoe – within a flock of Black-billed Woodhoopoes in Awash NP was a single bird that looked like a “textbook” Green Woodhoopoe, with a completely red bill, and extensive green gloss on the head and mantle.

Purple-banded Sunbird – I have regularly seen small Purple-banded / Tsavo in the Yabello area. They look more like Purple-banded Sunbirds to me, but the separation of these species is difficult. Photos are available for anyone who would like to weigh in on these birds’ identification.

Author’s e-mail: [email protected]

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 LIST

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2003) by Jonathan Kingdon, with some updates.

Guereza White Colobus Colobus guereza (abyssinicus) Sacred Baboon (Hamadryas) Papio hamadryas Olive Baboon Papio anubis Gelada (Baboon) Theropithecus gelada Grivet Monkey Chlorocebus aethiops Bale Monkey Chlorocebus djamdjamensis Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis fagani Cape Hare Lepus capensis Unstriped Ground Squirrel Xerus rutilus Gambian Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus Giant Root Rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus Blick's Grass Rat Arvicanthis blicki Grass Rat sp. Arvicanthis sp. Golden Jackal Canis aureus Abyssinian Wolf Canis simmensis Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta Common Genet Genetta genetta Wild Cat Felis sylvestris Lion Panthera leo H Ethiopian Rock Hyrax Procavia habessenica Yellow-spotted Hyrax Heterohyrax brucei Grevy´s Zebra Equus grevyi Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Desert Warthog Phachochoerus aethiopicus Beisa Oryx Oryx beisa Menelik´s Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki Mountain Nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni Lesser Kudu Tragelaphus imberbis Gray (Common) Duiker Sylvicappra grimmia Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus Salt´s Dik-dik Madoqua saltiana Guenther´s Dik-dik Madoqua guentheri

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016 Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula Soemmering´s Gazelle Gazella soemmerringi Grant's (Bright's) Gazelle Nanger granti brighti Gerenuk Litocranius walleri

The amazing Gelada is a high-elevation baboon, and one of Ethiopia’s top mammals.

REPTILE LIST

Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia Prince Ruspoli's Turaco Hemidactylus ruspolii Speckle-lipped Skink Trachylepis maculilabris Rainbow Skink Trachylepis quinquetaeniata Striped Skink Trachylepis striata Black-necked Tree Agama Acanthocercus cyanogaster Red-headed Rock Agama Agama agama Southern Long-tailed Lizard Latastia longicaudata Speke's Sand Lizard Heliobolus spekii Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus

Ethiopia: Birding the ‘Roof’ of Africa Feb. 8-26, 2016