List of birds of Ethiopia
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Ethiopia. The avifauna of Ethiopia
includes a total of 924 species, of which 23 are endemic
and 3 are rare or accidental.
This list's taxonomic
treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements
's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Ethiopia.
The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. The commonly occurring, native, species do not fall into any of these categories.
The Ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Grebe
s are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm-petrel
s are relatives of the petrel
s, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on plankton
ic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat
-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbird
s are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Pelecanidae
Pelican
s are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannet
s and boobies
. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Phalacrocoracidae
The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Anhingidae
Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.
The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebird
s are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bittern
s, heron
s and egret
s. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Scopidae
The Hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is a drab brown all over.
. Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Balaenicipididae
The Shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.
. Family: Threskiornithidae
The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibis
es and spoonbill
s. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Flamingo
s are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the duck
s and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese
and swan
s. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor
which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
. Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawk
s, eagle
s, kites
, harriers
and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 58 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Sagittariidae
The Secretary-bird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes
but is easily distinguished from other raptors by it long crane-like legs.
. Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quail
s, partridge
s, snowcock
s, francolin
s, spurfowls, tragopan
s, monal
s, pheasant
s, peafowl
s and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coot
s, and gallinule
s. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Heliornithidae
The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World
. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Jacanidae
The jacana
s are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Rostratulidae
Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Dromadidae
The Crab Plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.
. Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatcher
s are large and noisy plover
-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocet
s and the stilt
s. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincole
s, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the courser
s, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plover
s, dotterels, and lapwing
s. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Scolopacidae
The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlew
s, godwit
s, shanks
, tattler
s, woodcock
s, snipe
s, dowitcher
s and phalarope
s. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gull
s and kittiwake
s. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Sternidae
Tern
s are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmer
s are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and dove
s are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere
. There are 308 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Parrot
s are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured birds, usually blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoo
s, roadrunner
s and anis
. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Barn owl
s are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Typical owl
s are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjar
s are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Apodidae
Swift
s are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic, and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine
birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crow
s in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfisher
s and bee-eater
s. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
. Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfisher
s, roller
s and hoopoe
. They most resemble the last species with their long curved bills, used for probing for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage
, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. There are 8 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Lybiidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. African barbets belong to the Lybiidae family. There are 42 species of African barbets and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax
. They are named for the behaviour of the Greater Honeyguide
which leads large animals to bees' nests and then feeds on the wax once the animal has broken the nest open to get at the honey. There are 17 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Ethiopia.
. Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests. There are 130 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The Grey Hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird. They are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes, and with the shape and soft plumage of the waxwings.
The thrushes
are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 51 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 52 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
The Corvidae family includes crow
s, raven
s, jay
s, chough
s, magpie
s, treepie
s, nutcracker
s, and ground jay
s. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 25 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finch
es. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 39 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The estrildid finch
es are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia
. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finch species. There are 20 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 8 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Finch
es are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Sparrow
s are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
includes a total of 924 species, of which 23 are endemic
Endemism in birds
An endemic bird area is a region of the world that contains two or more restricted-range species, while a "secondary area" contains one or more restricted-range species. Both terms were devised by Birdlife International....
and 3 are rare or accidental.
This list's taxonomic
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements
James Clements
Dr. James Franklin Clements was an ornithologist, author and very successful businessman. He was born in New York....
's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Ethiopia.
The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. The commonly occurring, native, species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Ethiopia.
- (E) Endemic A species endemic to Ethiopia.
| Table of contents |
|---|
Non-passerines: Ostriches . Grebes . Shearwaters and Petrels . Storm-Petrels . Tropicbirds . Pelicans . Boobies and Gannets . Cormorants . Darters . Frigatebirds . Bitterns, Herons and Egrets . Hammerkop . Storks . Shoebill . Ibises and Spoonbills . Flamingos . Ducks, Geese and Swans . Osprey . Hawks, Kites and Eagles . Secretary-bird . Caracaras and Falcons . Pheasants and Partridges . Guineafowl . Buttonquails . Cranes . Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots . Sungrebe and Finfoots . Bustards . Jacanas . Painted snipe . Crab Plover . Oystercatchers . Avocets and Stilts . Thick-knees . Pratincoles and Coursers . Plovers and Lapwings . Sandpipers and allies . Skuas and Jaegers . Gulls . Terns . Skimmers . Sandgrouse . Pigeons and Doves . Parrots, Macaws and allies . Turacos . Cuckoos and Anis . Barn owls . Typical owls . Nightjars . Swifts . Mousebirds . Trogons and Quetzals . Kingfishers . Bee-eaters . Typical Rollers . Hoopoes . Woodhoopoes . Hornbills . Barbets . Honeyguides . Woodpeckers and allies . |
Passerines: Pittas . Larks . Swallows and Martins . Wagtails and Pipits . Cuckoo-shrikes . Bulbuls . Grey Hypocolius . Thrushes and allies . Cisticolas and allies . Old World warblers . Old World flycatchers . Wattle-eyes . Monarch flycatchers . Babblers . Chickadees and Titmice . Treecreepers . Penduline tits . Sunbirds and Spiderhunters . White-eyes . Old World Orioles . Shrikes . Bushshrikes and allies . Helmetshrikes . Drongos . Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies . Starlings . Weavers and allies . Waxbills and allies . Indigobirds . Weavers and allies . Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies . Siskins, Crossbills and allies . Sparrows . |
See also References |
Ostriches
Order: Struthioniformes. Family: StruthionidaeThe Ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
- OstrichOstrichThe Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
Struthio camelus
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes. Family: PodicipedidaeGrebe
Grebe
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes order, a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter...
s are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Little GrebeLittle GrebeThe Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
Tachybaptus ruficollis - Great Crested GrebeGreat Crested GrebeThe Great Crested Grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds.- Description :The Great Crested Grebe is long with a wingspan. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations...
Podiceps cristatus - Black-necked GrebeBlack-necked GrebeThe Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis, known in North America as the Eared Grebe, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It occurs on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.-Taxonomy:There are three subspecies:*P. n...
Podiceps nigricollis
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesProcellariiformes
Procellariiformes is an order of seabirds that comprises four families: the albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels...
. Family: Procellariidae
Procellariidae
The family Procellariidae is a group of seabirds that comprises the fulmarine petrels, the gadfly petrels, the prions, and the shearwaters. This family is part of the bird order Procellariiformes , which also includes the albatrosses, the storm-petrels, and the diving petrels.The procellariids are...
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Audubon's ShearwaterAudubon's ShearwaterAudubon's Shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri, is a common tropical seabird from the family Procellariidae. Sometimes called Dusky-backed Shearwater, the scientific name of this species commemorates the French naturalist Félix Louis L'Herminier....
Puffinus lherminieri
Storm-Petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesProcellariiformes
Procellariiformes is an order of seabirds that comprises four families: the albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels...
. Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm-petrel
Storm-petrel
Storm petrels are seabirds in the family Hydrobatidae, part of the order Procellariiformes. These smallest of seabirds feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.Storm petrels have a cosmopolitan...
s are relatives of the petrel
Petrel
Petrels are tube-nosed seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. The common name does not indicate relationship beyond that point, as "petrels" occur in three of the four families within that group...
s, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on plankton
Plankton
Plankton are any drifting organisms that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. That is, plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than phylogenetic or taxonomic classification...
ic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Wilson's Storm-PetrelWilson's Storm-petrelWilson's Storm Petrel , also known as Wilson's Petrel, is a small seabird of the storm-petrel family. It is one of the most abundant bird species in the world and has a circumpolar distribution mainly in the seas of the southern hemisphere but extending northwards during the summer of the northern...
Oceanites oceanicus - White-faced Storm-PetrelWhite-faced Storm-petrelThe White-faced Storm Petrel , also known as White-faced Petrel is a small seabird of the storm-petrel family. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Pelagodroma....
Pelagodroma marina - Leach's Storm-PetrelLeach's Storm-petrelThe Leach's Storm Petrel or Leach's Petrel is a small seabird of the tubenose family. It is named after the British zoologist William Elford Leach....
Oceanodroma leucorhoa - Swinhoe's Storm-PetrelSwinhoe's Storm-petrelSwinhoe's Storm Petrel, Oceanodroma monorhis also known as Swinhoe's Petrel is a small seabird of the storm-petrel family Hydrobatidae....
Oceanodroma monorhis
Tropicbirds
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbird
Tropicbird
Tropicbirds are a family, Phaethontidae, of tropical pelagic seabirds now classified in their own order Phaethontiformes. Their relationship to other living birds is unclear, and they appear to have no close relatives. There are three species in one genus, Phaethon...
s are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Red-billed TropicbirdRed-billed TropicbirdThe Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus, also known as the Boatswain Bird is a tropicbird, one of three closely related seabirds of tropical oceans.-Distribution and habitat:...
Phaethon aethereus - Red-tailed TropicbirdRed-tailed TropicbirdThe Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, is a seabird that nests across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the rarest of the tropicbirds, yet is still a widespread bird that is not considered threatened. It nests in colonies on oceanic islands....
Phaethon rubricauda
Pelicans
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Pelecanidae
Pelican
Pelican
A pelican, derived from the Greek word πελεκυς pelekys is a large water bird with a large throat pouch, belonging to the bird family Pelecanidae....
s are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
- Pink-backed PelicanPink-backed PelicanThe Pink-backed Pelican is a member of the pelican family of birds. It is a resident breeder in Africa, southern Arabia and apparently extinct in Madagascar in swamps and shallow lakes.-Description:...
Pelecanus rufescens
Boobies and gannets
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Sulidae
Sulidae
The bird family Sulidae comprises the gannets and boobies. Collectively called sulidas, they are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and similar prey. The ten species in this family are often considered congeneric in older sources, placing all in the genus Sula...
The sulids comprise the gannet
Gannet
Gannets are seabirds comprising the genus Morus, in the family Sulidae, closely related to the boobies.The gannets are large black and white birds with yellow heads. They have long pointed wings and long bills. Northern gannets are the largest seabirds in the North Atlantic, with a wingspan of up...
s and boobies
Booby
A booby is a seabird in the genus Sula, part of the Sulidae family. Boobies are closely related to the gannets , which were formerly included in Sula.-Description:...
. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Masked BoobyMasked BoobyThe Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra, is a large seabird of the booby family, Sulidae. This species breeds on islands in tropical oceans, except in the eastern Atlantic; in the eastern Pacific it is replaced by the Nazca Booby, Sula granti, which was formerly regarded as a subspecies of Masked Booby...
Sula dactylatra - Red-footed BoobyRed-footed BoobyThe Red-footed Booby, Sula sula, is a large seabird of the booby family, Sulidae. As suggested by the name, adults always have red feet, but the colour of the plumage varies. They are powerful and agile fliers, but they are clumsy in takeoffs and landings...
Sula sula - Brown BoobyBrown BoobyThe Brown Booby is a large seabird of the booby family, Sulidae. The adult brown booby reaches about in length. Its head and upper body are covered in dark brown, with the remainder being a contrasting white. The juvenile form is gray-brown with darkening on the head, wings and tail...
Sula leucogaster
Cormorants
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Phalacrocoracidae
The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Great CormorantGreat CormorantThe Great Cormorant , known as the Great Black Cormorant across the Northern Hemisphere, the Black Cormorant in Australia and the Black Shag further south in New Zealand, is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds...
Phalacrocorax carbo - Socotra CormorantSocotra CormorantThe Socotra Cormorant, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, is a threatened species of cormorant that is endemic to the Persian Gulf and the south-east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is also sometimes known as the Socotran Cormorant or, more rarely, as the Socotra Shag. Individuals occasionally...
Phalacrocorax nigrogularis - Long-tailed CormorantLong-tailed CormorantThe Reed Cormorant , also known as the Long-tailed Cormorant, is a bird in the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. It breeds in much of Africa south of the Sahara, and Madagascar. It is resident but undertakes some seasonal movements.This is a common and widespread species, and is not considered to...
Phalacrocorax africanus
Darters
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Anhingidae
Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.
The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- DarterDarterThe darters or snakebirds are mainly tropical waterbirds in the family Anhingidae. There are four living species, three of which are very common and widespread while the fourth is rarer and classified as near-threatened by the IUCN. The term "snakebird" is usually used without any additions to...
Anhinga melanogaster
Frigatebirds
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebird
Frigatebird
The frigatebirds are a family, Fregatidae, of seabirds. There are five species in the single genus Fregata. They are also sometimes called Man of War birds or Pirate birds. Since they are related to the pelicans, the term "frigate pelican" is also a name applied to them...
s are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Lesser FrigatebirdLesser FrigatebirdThe Lesser Frigatebird, Fregata ariel, is a species of frigatebird.It nests in Australia, among other locations.There is a single record from the Western Palearctic, from Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba....
Fregata ariel
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bittern
Bittern
Bitterns are a classification of birds in the heron family, Ardeidae, a family of wading birds. Species named bitterns tend to be the shorter-necked, often more secretive members of this family...
s, heron
Heron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called "egrets" or "bitterns" instead of "heron"....
s and egret
Egret
An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season. Many egrets are members of the genera Egretta or Ardea which contain other species named as herons rather than egrets...
s. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Grey HeronGrey HeronThe Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
Ardea cinerea - Black-headed HeronBlack-headed HeronThe Black-headed Heron is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It is mainly resident but some west African birds move further north in the rainy season....
Ardea melanocephala - Goliath HeronGoliath HeronThe Goliath Heron is a very large wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa, with smaller numbers in Southwest and South Asia.-Description:This is the world's largest heron...
Ardea goliath - Purple HeronPurple HeronThe Purple Heron is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. The European populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa; the more northerly Asian populations also migrate further south within Asia...
Ardea purpurea - Great EgretGreat EgretThe Great Egret , also known as the Great White Egret or Common Egret, White Heron, or Great White Heron, is a large, widely-distributed egret. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, in southern Europe it is rather localized...
Ardea alba - Black HeronBlack HeronThe Black Heron also known as the Black Egret, is an African heron. It is a medium-sized , black-plumaged heron with yellow legs and feet. It is found south of the Sahara Desert, including Madagascar, and prefers shallow open waters, such as the edges of freshwater lakes and ponds...
Egretta ardesiaca - Intermediate EgretIntermediate EgretThe Intermediate Egret, Median Egret, or Yellow-billed Egret is a medium-sized heron. It is a resident breeder from east Africa across tropical southern Asia to Australia. It often nests in colonies with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs...
Egretta intermedia - Western Reef HeronWestern Reef HeronThe Western Reef Heron, Egretta gularis, also known as the Western Reef Egret, is a medium-sized heron. It occurs mainly on the coasts in tropical west Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and east to India...
Egretta gularis - Little EgretLittle EgretThe Little Egret is a small white heron. It is the Old World counterpart to the very similar New World Snowy Egret.-Subspecies:Depending on authority, two or three subspecies of Little Egret are currently accepted....
Egretta garzetta - Squacco HeronSquacco HeronThe Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides, is a small heron, long, of which the body is , with wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Greater Middle East.-Behaviour:...
Ardeola ralloides - Cattle EgretCattle EgretThe Cattle Egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the Western Cattle Egret and the Eastern Cattle Egret...
Bubulcus ibis - Striated HeronStriated HeronThe Striated Heron, Butorides striata, also known as Mangrove Heron, Little Heron or Green-backed Heron, is a small heron. Striated Herons are mostly non-migratory and noted for some interesting behavioral traits. Their breeding habitat is small wetlands in the Old World tropics from west Africa to...
Butorides striata - Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- White-backed Night-HeronWhite-backed Night-heronThe White-backed Night Heron is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family. This relatively small and dark night heron is found throughout a large part of sub-Saharan Africa. It was formerly placed in the genus Nycticorax....
Gorsachius leuconotus - Dwarf BitternDwarf BitternThe Dwarf Bittern is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Ixobrychus sturmii - Great BitternGreat BitternThe Eurasian Bittern or Great Bittern is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds applies.-Etymology:...
Botaurus stellaris
Hammerkop
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Scopidae
The Hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is a drab brown all over.
- Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Storks
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Yellow-billed StorkYellow-billed StorkThe Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It occurs in Africa south of the Sahara and in Madagascar....
Mycteria ibis - African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
- Black StorkBlack StorkThe Black Stork Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread, but rare, species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, predominantly in central and eastern regions. This is a shy and wary species, unlike the closely related White Stork. It is seen in...
Ciconia nigra - Abdim's StorkAbdim's StorkThe Abdim's Stork, also known as White-bellied Stork, is a black stork with grey legs, red knees and feet, grey bill and white underparts. It has red facial skin in front of eye and blue skin near the bill in breeding season...
Ciconia abdimii - Woolly-necked StorkWoolly-necked StorkThe Woolly-necked Stork or White necked stork , Ciconia episcopus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It can also be known as the Espiscopos....
Ciconia episcopus - White StorkWhite StorkThe White Stork is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Its plumage is mainly white, with black on its wings. Adults have long red legs and long pointed red beaks, and measure on average from beak tip to end of tail, with a wingspan...
Ciconia ciconia - Saddle-billed StorkSaddle-billed StorkThe Saddle-billed Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya south to South Africa, and in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Chad in west Africa.This is a close...
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis - Marabou StorkMarabou StorkThe Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara, occurring in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially waste tips...
Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Shoebill
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Balaenicipididae
The Shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.
- ShoebillShoebillThe Shoebill also known as Whalehead or Shoe-billed Stork, is a very large stork-like bird. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill. The adult bird is tall, long, across the wingspan and weighs . Their beaks have an average length of length of . The adult is mainly grey while the...
Balaeniceps rex
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes 34 species of large terrestrial and wading birds, falling into two subfamilies, the ibises and the spoonbills. It was formerly known as Plataleidae. The spoonbills and ibises were once thought to be related to other groups of long-legged wading birds in the...
The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibis
Ibis
The ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae....
es and spoonbill
Spoonbill
Spoonbills are a group of large, long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, which also includes the Ibises.All have large, flat, spatulate bills and feed by wading through shallow water, sweeping the partly opened bill from side to side...
s. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Sacred IbisSacred IbisThe African Sacred Ibis is a species of ibis.-Description:An adult individual is 68 cm long with all-white body plumage apart from dark plumes on the rump. The bald head and neck, thick curved bill and legs are black. The white wings show a black rear border in flight...
Threskiornis aethiopicus - Waldrapp Geronticus eremita
- Hadada IbisHadada IbisThe Hadada or Hadeda Ibis, Bostrychia hagedash, is an ibis found in Sub-Saharan Africa.-Appearance:The Hadeda is a large , dark brown ibis with a white "moustache", glossy greenish purple wings, a large black bill with a red stripe on the upper mandible, and blackish legs.-Call:It has a...
Bostrychia hagedash - Wattled IbisWattled IbisThe Wattled Ibis is a species of bird in the Threskiornithidae family. It is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and is found only in Ethiopia and Eritrea.-Description:...
Bostrychia carunculata (E) - Glossy IbisGlossy IbisThe Glossy Ibis is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean region of the Americas...
Plegadis falcinellus - Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
- African SpoonbillAfrican SpoonbillThe African Spoonbill is a long-legged wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The species is widespread across Africa and Madagascar, including Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It lives in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water and...
Platalea alba
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes. Family: PhoenicopteridaeFlamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
s are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Greater FlamingoGreater FlamingoThe Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia , and southern Europe...
Phoenicopterus roseus - Lesser FlamingoLesser FlamingoThe Lesser Flamingo is a species in the flamingo family of birds that resides in Africa and in southern Asia...
Phoenicopterus minor
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: AnseriformesAnseriformes
The order Anseriformes contains about 150 living species of birds in three extant families: the Anhimidae , Anseranatidae , and the Anatidae, which includes over 140 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans.All species in the order are highly adapted for an aquatic existence at...
. Family: Anatidae
Anatidae
Anatidae is the biological family of birds that includes ducks, geese and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica and on most of the world's islands and island groups...
The family Anatidae includes the duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese
Goose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
and swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Fulvous Whistling DuckFulvous Whistling DuckThe Fulvous Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna bicolor, is a whistling duck which breeds across the world's tropical regions in much of Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Gulf Coast of the United States....
Dendrocygna bicolor - White-faced Whistling DuckWhite-faced Whistling DuckThe White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata, is a whistling duck which breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight...
Dendrocygna viduata - White-backed DuckWhite-backed DuckThe White-backed Duck is a waterbird of the family Anatidae. It is distinct from all other ducks, but most closely related to the whistling ducks in the subfamily Dendrocygninae, though also showing some similarities to the stiff-tailed ducks in the subfamily Oxyurinae...
Thalassornis leuconotus - Blue-winged GooseBlue-winged GooseThe Blue-winged Goose is a waterfowl species which is endemic to Ethiopia. It is the only member of the genus Cyanochen.- Relations :...
Cyanochen cyanopterus (E) - Egyptian GooseEgyptian GooseThe Egyptian Goose is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae, and is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen...
Alopochen aegyptiacus - Ruddy ShelduckRuddy ShelduckThe Ruddy Shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea, is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae...
Tadorna ferruginea - Spur-winged GooseSpur-winged GooseThe Spur-winged Goose is a large bird in the family Anatidae, related to the geese and the shelducks, but distinct from both of these in a number of anatomical features, and therefore treated in its own subfamily, the Plectropterinae...
Plectropterus gambensis - Comb DuckComb DuckThe Knob-billed Duck , or Comb Duck, is an unusual, pan-tropical duck, found in tropical wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and south Asia from Pakistan to Laos and extreme southern China...
Sarkidiornis melanotos - African Pygmy GooseAfrican Pygmy GooseThe African Pygmy Goose is a very small perching duck from sub-Saharan Africa. It has been featured in many Vietnamese pornographic films. It is the smallest African waterfowl. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds applies....
Nettapus auritus - African Black DuckAfrican Black DuckThe African Black Duck is a species of duck of the genus Anas. It is genetically closest to the mallard group , but shows some peculiarities in its behavior and plumage; it is accordingly placed in the subgenus Melananas pending further research.The African Black Duck is an...
Anas sparsa - Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
- GadwallGadwallThe Gadwall is a common and widespread duck of the family Anatidae.- Description :The Gadwall is 46–56 cm long with a 78–90 cm wingspan. The male is slightly larger than the female, weighing on average 990 g against her 850 g...
Anas strepera - Common TealCommon TealThe Eurasian Teal or Common Teal is a common and widespread duck which breeds in temperate Eurasia and migrates south in winter. The Eurasian Teal is often called simply the Teal due to being the only one of these small dabbling ducks in much of its range...
Anas crecca - Cape TealCape TealThe Cape Teal is a 44-46 cm long dabbling duck of open wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa.This species is essentially non-migratory, although it moves opportunistically with the rains. Like many southern ducks, the sexes are similar. It is very pale and mainly grey, with a browner back and pink...
Anas capensis - MallardMallardThe Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
Anas platyrhynchos - Yellow-billed DuckYellow-billed DuckThe Yellow-billed Duck, Anas undulata, is a 51–58 cm long dabbling duck which is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa.This duck is not migratory, but will wander in the dry season to find suitable waters...
Anas undulata - Northern PintailNorthern PintailThe Pintail or Northern Pintail is a widely occurring duck which breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is strongly migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator...
Anas acuta - Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha
- Hottentot TealHottentot TealThe Hottentot Teal is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is migratory resident in eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia west to Niger and Nigeria and south to South Africa and Namibia. In west Africa and Madagascar it is sedentary.The Hottentot Teal breed year round,...
Anas hottentota - GarganeyGarganeyThe Garganey is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in much of Europe and western Asia, but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to southern Africa, India Santragachi and Australasia in winter, where large flocks can occur. This species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758...
Anas querquedula - Northern ShovelerNorthern ShovelerThe Northern Shoveler , Northern Shoveller in British English, sometimes known simply as the Shoveler, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America, and is a rare vagrant to Australia...
Anas clypeata - Southern PochardSouthern PochardThe Southern Pochard is a duck.There are two subspecies, the South American Pochard N. e. erythrophthalma and the African Pochard N. e...
Netta erythrophthalma - Common Pochard Aythya ferina
- Ferruginous DuckFerruginous DuckThe Ferruginous Duck is a medium-sized diving duck from Eurasia. The species is known colloquially by birders as "Fudge Duck"....
Aythya nyroca - Tufted DuckTufted DuckThe Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula, is a medium-sized diving duck with a population of close to one million birds.- Description :The adult male is all black except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill. It has an obvious head tuft that gives the species its name.The adult female is brown with paler...
Aythya fuligula - Maccoa DuckMaccoa DuckThe Maccoa Duck is a small long African stiff-tailed duck.Adult males have a chestnut body, a blue bill and a black head...
Oxyura maccoa
Osprey
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
- OspreyOspreyThe Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae, one of the two major families within the order Accipitriformes , are a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a...
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
s, eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
s, kites
Kite (bird)
Kites are raptors with long wings and weak legs which spend a great deal of time soaring. Most feed mainly on carrion but some take various amounts of live prey.They are birds of prey which, along with hawks and eagles, are from the family Accipitridae....
, harriers
Harrier (bird)
A harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds....
and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 58 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides
- Honey buzzardHoney BuzzardThe European Honey Buzzard , is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers....
Pernis apivorus - Bat HawkBat HawkThe Bat Hawk is a raptor found in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia to New Guinea. It is named for its diet, which consists mainly of bats. It requires open space in which to hunt, but will live anywhere from dense rainforest to semi-arid veld.-Description:The Bat Hawk is a slender, medium-sized...
Macheiramphus alcinus - Black-winged KiteBlack-winged KiteThe Black-winged Kite is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much-smaller kestrels...
Elanus caeruleus - Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii
- Black KiteBlack KiteThe Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. Unlike others of the group, they are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their...
Milvus migrans - African Fish EagleAfrican Fish EagleThe African Fish Eagle or – to distinguish it from the true fish eagles , the African Sea Eagle – is a large species of eagle that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water occur that have an abundant food supply. As a result of its large range, it is known in many...
Haliaeetus vocifer - Hooded VultureHooded VultureThe Hooded Vulture is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Necrosyrtes....
Necrosyrtes monachus - LammergeierLammergeierThe Lammergeier, Lammergeyer, or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus , is the only member of the genus Gypaetus. Traditionally considered an Old World vulture, it actually forms a minor lineage of Accipitridae together with the Egyptian Vulture , its closest living relative...
Gypaetus barbatus - Egyptian VultureEgyptian VultureThe Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture, found widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Neophron. It has sometimes also been known as the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken...
Neophron percnopterus - White-backed VultureWhite-backed VultureThe White-backed Vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus...
Gyps africanus - Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii
- Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus
- Lappet-faced VultureLappet-faced VultureThe Lappet-faced Vulture or Nubian Vulture is a mostly African Old World vulture belonging to the bird order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Torgos. A distinct subspecies T. t. negevensis occurs in the Sinai, the Negev...
Torgos tracheliotus - White-headed VultureWhite-headed VultureThe White-headed Vulture is an Old World vulture endemic to Africa. It has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. Its has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers. The feathers on its lower parts and legs are white. It has a wing span of 2 m and spends...
Trigonoceps occipitalis - Beaudouin's Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini
- Black-breasted Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
- Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus
- Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens
- BateleurBateleurThe Bateleur is a medium-sized eagle in the bird family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as buzzards, kites and harriers...
Terathopius ecaudatus - Western Marsh HarrierWestern Marsh HarrierThe Western Marsh-harrier is a mid-sized harrier, a bird of prey from temperate and subtropical western Eurasia and adjacent Africa. It is also known as the Eurasian Marsh-harrier....
Circus aeruginosus - African Marsh HarrierAfrican Marsh HarrierThe African Marsh Harrier is a bird of prey belonging to the harrier genus Circus. It is found in southern, central and eastern Africa from South Africa north to Sudan with a vagrant record from Nigeria. It is particularly common in the Okavango Delta in Botswana...
Circus ranivorus - Pallid HarrierPallid HarrierThe Pale or Pallid Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds in southern parts of eastern Europe and central Asia and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia...
Circus macrourus - Montagu's HarrierMontagu's HarrierThe Montagu's Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu.-Plumage:...
Circus pygargus - African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus
- Lizard BuzzardLizard BuzzardThe Lizard Buzzard is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Accipitridae. Despite its name, it may be more closely related to the Accipiter hawks than the Buteo buzzards....
Kaupifalco monogrammicus - Dark Chanting GoshawkDark Chanting GoshawkThe Dark Chanting Goshawk is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. The Accipitridae also include many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers....
Melierax metabates - Eastern Chanting GoshawkEastern Chanting GoshawkThe Eastern Chanting Goshawk or Somali Chanting Goshawk is a bird of prey of East Africa.-Taxonomy:...
Melierax poliopterus - Gabar GoshawkGabar GoshawkThe Gabar Goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Micronisus gabar - Red-chested GoshawkRed-chested GoshawkThe Red-chested Goshawk is a hawk of West Africa. It is often considered conspecific with the African Goshawk.-Range and habitat:...
Accipiter toussenelii - African GoshawkAfrican GoshawkThe African Goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.As defined here following the Handbook of the Birds of the World, it is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,...
Accipiter tachiro - ShikraShikraThe Shikra is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found widely distributed in Asia and Africa where it is also called the Little Banded Goshawk. The African forms may represent a separate species but have usually been considered as subspecies of the Shikra...
Accipiter badius - Levant SparrowhawkLevant SparrowhawkThe Levant Sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers....
Accipiter brevipes - Little SparrowhawkLittle SparrowhawkThe Little Sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,...
Accipiter minullus - Ovampo SparrowhawkOvampo SparrowhawkThe Ovambo or Ovampo Sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia,...
Accipiter ovampensis - Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
- Rufous-chested SparrowhawkRufous-chested SparrowhawkThe Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk , also known as the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family...
Accipiter rufiventris - Black GoshawkBlack GoshawkThe Black Sparrowhawk , sometimes known as the Black Goshawk or Great Sparrowhawk, is the largest African member of the genus Accipiter . Downloaded on 06 October 2011....
Accipiter melanoleucus - Grasshopper BuzzardGrasshopper BuzzardThe Grasshopper Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali,...
Butastur rufipennis - Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo
- Mountain BuzzardMountain BuzzardThe Mountain Buzzard is a bird of prey that lives in montane forests in East Africa and forests and plantations in South Africa. The latter population is sometimes considered a separate species, the Forest Buzzard The Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus) is a bird of prey that lives in montane...
Buteo oreophilus - Long-legged BuzzardLong-legged BuzzardThe Long-legged Buzzard is a bird of prey.-Description:It is similar in appearance to the Rough-legged Buzzard , but larger and more robust. There are many different colour forms, but usually Long-leggeds have a clear orange tint to the plumage, red or orange tail, pale head and largely white...
Buteo rufinus - Red-necked BuzzardRed-necked BuzzardThe Red-necked Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Buteo auguralis - Augur BuzzardAugur BuzzardThe Augur Buzzard is a 55–60 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard, and the Archer's Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having...
Buteo augur - Lesser Spotted EagleLesser Spotted EagleThe Lesser Spotted Eagle is a large Eastern European bird of prey. Like all typical eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
Aquila pomarina - Greater Spotted EagleGreater Spotted EagleThe Greater Spotted Eagle , occasionally just called the spotted eagle, is a large bird of prey. Like all typical eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
Aquila clanga - Tawny EagleTawny EagleThe Tawny Eagle is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. It was once considered to be closely related to the migratory Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis, and the two forms have previously been treated as conspecific...
Aquila rapax - Steppe EagleSteppe EagleThe Steppe Eagle is a bird of prey. It is about in length and has a wingspan of . Females, weighing 2.3–4.9 kg , are slightly larger than males, at 2–3.5 kg . Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
Aquila nipalensis - Imperial EagleEastern Imperial EagleThe Eastern Imperial Eagle is a large species of bird of prey that breeds from southeastern Europe to central Asia. Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, and southern and eastern Asia. The Spanish Imperial Eagle, found in Spain and Portugal, was formerly lumped with...
Aquila heliaca - Wahlberg's EagleWahlberg's EagleThe Wahlberg's Eagle is a bird of prey. It is about 55–60 cm in length and has a wingspan of 130–160 cm. Body mass is 1.04 kg for males and 1.3 kg for females on average. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.Wahlberg's Eagle breeds in most of Africa south of...
Aquila wahlbergi - Golden EagleGolden EagleThe Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
Aquila chrysaetos - Verreaux's EagleVerreaux's EagleVerreaux's Eagle , alternatively known as the Black Eagle , is a large bird of prey. This eagle lives in hilly and mountaineous regions of southern and eastern Africa , and very locally in Western Asia.- Description :It is long. Males weigh and females weigh...
Aquila verreauxii - African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
- Booted EagleBooted EagleThe Booted Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey. It is about in length and has a wingspan of . Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae....
Aquila pennatus - Ayres's Hawk-EagleAyres's Hawk-eagleAyres's Hawk-Eagle is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Its name honours South African ornithologist Thomas Ayres.-References:...
Aquila ayresii - Martial EagleMartial EagleThe Martial Eagle , is a very large eagle found in open and semi-open habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus.-Description:...
Polemaetus bellicosus - Long-crested EagleLong-crested EagleThe Long-crested Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. It is currently placed in a monotypic genus Lophaetus....
Lophaetus occipitalis - Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
Secretary-bird
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Sagittariidae
The Secretary-bird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes
Falconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
but is easily distinguished from other raptors by it long crane-like legs.
- Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius
Caracaras and falcons
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Falconidae
Falconidae
The falcons and caracaras are around 60 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae. The family is divided into two subfamiles, Polyborinae, which includes the caracaras and forest falcons, and Falconinae, the falcons, kestrels and falconets.-Description:Falcons and...
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus
- Lesser KestrelLesser KestrelThe Lesser Kestrel is a small falcon. This species breeds from the Mediterranean across southern central Asia to China and Mongolia. It is a summer migrant, wintering in Africa and Pakistan and sometimes even to India and Iraq. It is rare north of its breeding range, and declining in its European...
Falco naumanni - Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
- Greater KestrelGreater KestrelThe Greater Kestrel or White-eyed Kestrel is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae. It is one of the largest kestrels and is found in open country in southern and eastern Africa.-Description:...
Falco rupicoloides - Fox KestrelFox KestrelThe Fox Kestrel is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae. It is found in arid, open country in Africa.-Description:...
Falco alopex - Grey KestrelGrey KestrelThe Grey Kestrel is an African bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae. Its closest relatives are the Banded Kestrel and Dickinson's Kestrel and the three are sometimes placed in the subgenus Dissodectes....
Falco ardosiaceus - Red-necked FalconRed-necked FalconThe Red-necked Falcon or Red-headed Merlin is a bird of prey in the falcon family. This bird is a widespread resident in India and adjacent regions as well as sub-Saharan Africa. It is sometimes called Turumti locally....
Falco chicquera - Red-footed FalconRed-footed FalconThe Red-footed Falcon , formerly Western Red-footed Falcon, is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Falconidae, the falcons. This bird is found in eastern Europe and Asia although its numbers are dwindling rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting. It is migratory, wintering in Africa...
Falco vespertinus - Amur FalconAmur FalconThe Amur Falcon , formerly Eastern Red-footed Falcon, is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China, wintering in Southern Africa...
Falco amurensis - Eleonora's FalconEleonora's FalconEleonora's Falcon is a medium-sized falcon. It belongs to the hobby group, a rather close-knit number of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis. The Sooty Falcon is sometimes considered its closest relative, but while they certainly belong to the same lineage, they do not seem...
Falco eleonorae - Sooty FalconSooty FalconThe Sooty Falcon is a medium-sized falcon breeding from northeastern Africa to the southern Persian Gulf region. It belongs to the hobby group, a rather close-knit number of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis...
Falco concolor - Eurasian HobbyEurasian HobbyThe Eurasian Hobby , or just simply Hobby, is a small slim falcon. It belongs to a rather close-knit group of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis.-Description:...
Falco subbuteo - African HobbyAfrican HobbyThe African Hobby is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Falco cuvierii - Lanner FalconLanner FalconThe Lanner Falcon is a large bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season.-Description:...
Falco biarmicus - Saker FalconSaker FalconThe Saker Falcon is a very large falcon. This species breeds from eastern Europe eastwards across Asia to Manchuria. It is mainly migratory except in the southernmost parts of its range, wintering in Ethiopia, the Arabian peninsula, northern Pakistan and western China...
Falco cherrug - Barbary FalconBarbary FalconThe Barbary Falcon is a medium-sized falcon about the size of a crow. This bird of prey breeds in the Canary Islands and on the coasts of north Africa. It is mainly resident.-Description:...
Falco pelegrinoides - Taita FalconTaita FalconThe Taita Falcon is one of the smallest falcons in the Southern African Sub-region. It was first described from the Taita Hills of Kenya from which it derives its name. It is spread throughout the eastern portion of subsaharan Africa but is mostly found in Kenya...
Falco fasciinucha - Peregrine FalconPeregrine FalconThe Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
Falco peregrinus
Pheasants and partridges
Order: GalliformesGalliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
. Family: Phasianidae
Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and partridges, including the junglefowl , Old World Quail, francolins, monals and peafowl. The family is a large one, and is occasionally broken up into two subfamilies, the Phasianinae, and the Perdicinae...
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
s, partridge
Partridge
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
s, snowcock
Snowcock
The snowcocks are a group of bird species in the genus Tetraogallus of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are ground-nesting birds which breed in the mountain ranges of southern Eurasia from the Caucasus to the Himalayas and western China. The Himalayan Snowcock has been introduced...
s, francolin
Francolin
Francolins are birds that traditionally have been placed in the genus Francolinus, but now commonly are divided into multiple genera , although some of the major taxonomic listing sources have yet to divide them. They are members of the pheasant family, Phasianidae...
s, spurfowls, tragopan
Tragopan
Tragopan is a genus of bird in the family Phasianidae. These birds are commonly called "horny pheasants" because of two brightly-colored, fleshy horns on their heads that they can erect during courtship displays...
s, monal
Monal
A Monal is a bird of genus Lophophorus of the Pheasant family, Phasianidae. There are three species and several sub-species within the genus Lophophorus:* Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus* Sclater's Monal Lophophorus sclateri...
s, pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
s, peafowl
Peafowl
Peafowl are two Asiatic species of flying birds in the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae, best known for the male's extravagant eye-spotted tail, which it displays as part of courtship. The male is called a peacock, the female a peahen, and the offspring peachicks. The adult female...
s and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Sand PartridgeSand PartridgeThe Sand Partridge, Ammoperdix heyi, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.This partridge has its main native range from Egypt and Palestine east to south Arabia...
Ammoperdix heyi - Coqui FrancolinCoqui FrancolinThe Coqui Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,...
Francolinus coqui - Crested FrancolinCrested FrancolinThe Crested Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe...
Francolinus sephaena - Moorland FrancolinMoorland FrancolinThe Moorland Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.-Distribution:It is found in moorland in the highlands of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.-Taxonomy:...
Francolinus psilolaemus - Orange River FrancolinOrange River FrancolinThe Orange River Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family found in grassland and woodland in Africa. In the taxa from the northern part of its distribution , the neck-line does not reach the eye and the belly is whitish...
Francolinus levaillantoides - Scaly FrancolinScaly FrancolinThe Scaly Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sudan,...
Francolinus squamatus - Clapperton's FrancolinClapperton's FrancolinThe Clapperton's Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda.-References:...
Francolinus clappertoni - Harwood's FrancolinHarwood's FrancolinThe Harwood's Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family. It is a grey-brown bird with red bill and tail, and red bare skin around the eyes...
Francolinus harwoodi (E) - Yellow-necked Francolin Francolinus leucoscepus
- Red-necked FrancolinRed-necked FrancolinThe Red-necked Spurfowl or Red-necked Francolin , is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds....
Francolinus afer - Chestnut-naped FrancolinChestnut-naped FrancolinThe Chestnut-naped Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family. At and , it is a large species of francolin.It is found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and possibly Kenya.-References:...
Francolinus castaneicollis - Erckel's FrancolinErckel's FrancolinThe Erckel's Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is native to Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. In 1957 the species was also introduced to the Hawaiian islands.-References:...
Francolinus erckelii - Common QuailCommon QuailThe Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe, .- Description :It is a small rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with...
Coturnix coturnix - Harlequin QuailHarlequin QuailThe Harlequin Quail is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Africa.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 10 July 2007....
Coturnix delegorguei - Blue QuailBlue QuailThe Blue Quail or African Blue Quail, is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.-Geographic Range:The species ranges from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia, and south to Zambia, and eastward to Kenya, and is migratory...
Coturnix adansonii - Stone PartridgeStone PartridgeThe Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus, is a bird of the pheasant family. This largely brown bird, which commonly holds its tail raised, is found in scrubland and lightly wooded habitats, often near rocks, from Kenya and Ethiopia to Gambia...
Ptilopachus petrosus
Guineafowl
Order: GalliformesGalliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
. Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Helmeted GuineafowlHelmeted GuineafowlThe Helmeted Guineafowl is the best known of the guineafowl bird family, Numididae, and the only member of the genus Numida...
Numida meleagris - Crested GuineafowlCrested GuineafowlThe Crested Guineafowl is a member of the Numididae, the guineafowl bird family. It is found in open forest, woodland and forest-savanna mosaics in sub-Saharan Africa. It has a total length of approximately 50 cm and weighs . The plumage is overall blackish with dense white spots...
Guttera pucherani - Vulturine GuineafowlVulturine GuineafowlThe Vulturine Guineafowl is the largest extant guineafowl species.Systematically, Acryllium are only distantly related to other guineafowl genera. Their closest living relative, the White Breasted Guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides inhabit primary forests in Central Africa. bird family,...
Acryllium vulturinum
Buttonquails
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Small ButtonquailSmall ButtonquailThe Kurrichane Buttonquail, Small Buttonquail, Common Buttonquail, or Andalusian Hemipode, Turnix sylvaticus, is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails...
Turnix sylvatica - Quail-plover Ortyxelos meiffrenii
Cranes
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Black Crowned-Crane Balearica pavonina
- Demoiselle CraneDemoiselle CraneThe Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo, is a species of crane that breeds in Central Asia and winters in India, with a few found in Cyprus and eastern Turkey as well. The crane annually migrates to Africa and South Asia in winter...
Anthropoides virgo - Wattled CraneWattled CraneThe Wattled Crane, Bugeranus carunculatus is a large bird found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is monotypical for its genus.At a height of up to , it is the largest crane in Africa and is the second tallest species of crane, after the Sarus Crane. The wingspan is , the length is...
Bugeranus carunculatus - Common CraneCommon CraneThe Common Crane , also known as the Eurasian Crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes.It is a large, stately bird and a medium-sized crane at 100–130 cm long, with a 180–240 cm wingspan and a weight of 4.5–6 kg...
Grus grus
Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Rallidae
Rallidae
The rails, or Rallidae, are a large cosmopolitan family of small to medium-sized birds. The family exhibits considerable diversity and the family also includes the crakes, coots, and gallinules...
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coot
Coot
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water...
s, and gallinule
Rallidae
The rails, or Rallidae, are a large cosmopolitan family of small to medium-sized birds. The family exhibits considerable diversity and the family also includes the crakes, coots, and gallinules...
s. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Buff-spotted FlufftailBuff-spotted FlufftailThe Buff-spotted Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Sarothrura elegans - Red-chested FlufftailRed-chested FlufftailThe Red-chested Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Sarothrura rufa - White-winged FlufftailWhite-winged FlufftailThe White-winged Flufftail is a very rare African bird in the Rallidae family. Its scientific name honours South African ornithologist Thomas Ayres.-Description:...
Sarothrura ayresi - African RailAfrican RailThe African Rail is a small wetland bird of the rail family.Its breeding habitat is marshes and reedbeds across eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa...
Rallus caerulescens - African CrakeAfrican CrakeThe African Crake is a bird in the rail family that breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa away from the arid south and southwest. It is seasonally common in most of its range other than the rainforests and areas that have low annual rainfall...
Crecopsis egregia - Corn CrakeCorn CrakeThe Corn Crake, Corncrake or Landrail is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the winter...
Crex crex - Rouget's RailRouget's RailThe Rouget's Rail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family. It is the only member of the genus Rougetius...
Rougetius rougetii - Black CrakeBlack CrakeThe Black Crake, Amaurornis flavirostra, is a waterbird in the rail and crake family Rallidae. It breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa except in very arid areas. It undertakes some seasonal movements in those parts of its range which are subject to drought...
Amaurornis flavirostris - Little CrakeLittle CrakeThe Little Crake is a very small waterbird of the family Rallidae.Their breeding habitat is reed beds in Europe, mainly in the east, and just into western Asia. They nest in a dry location in reed vegetation, laying 4-7 eggs...
Porzana parva - Baillon's CrakeBaillon's CrakeThe Baillon's Crake is a very small waterbird of the family Rallidae.-Distribution:Their breeding habitat is sedge beds in Europe, mainly in the east, and across Asia. They used to breed in Great Britain up to the mid-19th century, but the western European population declined through drainage....
Porzana pusilla - Spotted CrakeSpotted CrakeThe Spotted Crake is a small waterbird, of the family Rallidae.Their breeding habitat is marshes and sedge beds across temperate Europe into western Asia. They nest in a dry location in marsh vegetation, laying 6-15 eggs...
Porzana porzana - Purple SwamphenPurple SwamphenThe Purple Swamphen , also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Pūkeko or Purple Coot, is a large bird in the family Rallidae . From its name in French, talève sultane, it is also known as the Sultana Bird...
Porphyrio porphyrio - Allen's GallinuleAllen's GallinuleThe Allen's Gallinule , formerly known as the Lesser Gallinule is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Its former binomial name is Porphyrula alleni....
Porphyrio alleni - Common MoorhenCommon MoorhenThe Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
Gallinula chloropus - Lesser MoorhenLesser MoorhenThe Lesser Moorhen is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Gallinula angulata - Red-knobbed CootRed-knobbed CootThe Red-knobbed Coot or Crested Coot, , is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae.It is a resident breeder across much of Africa and in southernmost Spain on freshwater lakes and ponds. It builds a nest of dead reeds near the water's edge or more commonly afloat, laying about 8...
Fulica cristata - Eurasian CootEurasian CootThe Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra, also known as Coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. The Australian subspecies is known as the Australian Coot.-Distribution:...
Fulica atra
Sungrebe and Finfoots
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae
The Heliornithidae are a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet like those of grebes and coots. The family overall are known as finfoots, although one species is known as a Sungrebe. The family is composed of three species in three genera.-Description:Finfoots resemble...
The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- African FinfootAfrican FinfootThe African Finfoot is an aquatic bird inhabiting the rivers and lakes of western, central, and southern Africa.-Description:...
Podica senegalensis
Bustards
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Arabian BustardArabian BustardThe Arabian Bustard is a species of bird in the bustard family. It is part of the largest-bodied genus and, though little known, appears to be a fairly typical species in that group. As in all bustards, the male Arabian bustard is much larger than the female. Males have been found to weigh ,...
Ardeotis arabs - Kori BustardKori BustardThe Kori Bustard is a large bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family. It may be the heaviest bird capable of flight....
Ardeotis kori - Houbara BustardHoubara BustardThe Houbara Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata, is a large bird in the bustard family.-Description:The Houbara Bustard is a small to mid-sized bustard. It measures in length and spans across the wings. It is brown above and white below, with a black stripe down the sides of its neck. In flight, the...
Chlamydotis undulata - Stanley BustardStanley BustardDenham's Bustard, Stanley Bustard or Stanley's Bustard, Neotis denhami, is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of open ground, including agricultural land, grassland, flood-plains and burnt fynbos...
Neotis denhami - Heuglin's BustardHeuglin's BustardHeuglin's Bustard Neotis heuglinii is a species of bird in the bustard family. It is a fairly large species, at up to in length. The males weigh and the much smaller females weigh . It is It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Neotis heuglinii - White-bellied BustardWhite-bellied BustardThe White-bellied Bustard or White-bellied Korhaan is an African species of bustard.-Range and habitat:...
Eupodotis senegalensis - Little Brown BustardLittle Brown BustardThe Little Brown Bustard, Outarde Somalienne, or Sisón Somalí is a species of bird in the Otididae family.It is found in Ethiopia and Somalia....
Eupodotis humilis - Buff-crested BustardBuff-crested BustardThe Buff-crested Bustard is a species of bird in the Otididae family.It is found in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Eupodotis gindiana - Black-bellied BustardBlack-bellied BustardThe Black-bellied Bustard is an African ground-dwelling bird in the bustard family. Some authorities place it in the genus Eupodotis.-Description:...
Lissotis melanogaster - Hartlaub's BustardHartlaub's BustardHartlaub's Bustard is a species of bird in the Otididae family. Some authorities place it in the genus Eupodotis.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Lissotis hartlaubii
Jacanas
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Jacanidae
The jacana
Jacana
The jaçanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. See Etymology below for pronunciation....
s are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Lesser JacanaLesser JacanaThe Lesser Jacana is a species of bird in the Jacanidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Microparra....
Microparra capensis - African JacanaAfrican JacanaThe African Jacana is a jacana. The jacanas are a group of waders in the family Jacanidae, which are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. They are found worldwide within the tropical...
Actophilornis africanus
Painted snipe
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Rostratulidae
Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Crab Plover
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Dromadidae
The Crab Plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.
- Crab PloverCrab PloverThe Crab-plover or Crab Plover is a bird related to the waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family Dromadidae. Its relationship within the Charadriiformes is unclear, some have considered it to be closely related to the thick-knees, or the pratincoles, while others have...
Dromas ardeola
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatcher
Oystercatcher
The oystercatchers are a group of waders; they form the family Haematopodidae, which has a single genus, Haematopus. They are found on coasts worldwide apart from the polar regions and some tropical regions of Africa and South East Asia...
s are large and noisy plover
Plover
Plovers are a widely distributed group of wading birds belonging to the subfamily Charadriinae. There are about 40 species in the subfamily, most of them called "plover" or "dotterel". The closely related lapwing subfamily, Vanellinae, comprises another 20-odd species.Plovers are found throughout...
-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Eurasian OystercatcherEurasian OystercatcherThe Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, also known as the Common Pied Oystercatcher, or just Oystercatcher, is a wader in the oystercatcher bird family Haematopodidae. It is the most widespread of the oystercatchers, with three races breeding in western Europe, central Eurasia,...
Haematopus ostralegus
Avocets and stilts
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of birds in the wader suborder Charadrii. It contains two distinct groups of birds, the avocets and the stilts .-Description and diet:...
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocet
Avocet
The four species of Avocets are a genus, Recurvirostra, of waders in the same avian family as the stilts.Avocets have long legs and long, thin, upcurved bills which they sweep from side to side when feeding in the brackish or saline wetlands they prefer...
s and the stilt
Stilt
Stilt is a common name for several species of birds in the family Recurvirostridae, which also includes those known as avocets. They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates....
s. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Black-winged StiltBlack-winged StiltThe Black-winged Stilt or Common Stilt is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family . Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize...
Himantopus himantopus - Pied AvocetPied AvocetThe Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta, is a large black and white wader in the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae. They breed in temperate Europe and western and Central Asia. It is a migratory species and most winter in Africa or southern Asia...
Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Water Thick-kneeWater Thick-kneeThe Water Thick-knee is a species of bird in the Burhinidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,...
Burhinus vermiculatus - Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus
- Senegal Thick-kneeSenegal Thick-kneeThe Senegal Thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis, is a Stone-curlew, a group of waders in the family Burhinidae.It is a resident breeder in Africa between the Sahara and the equator, and in the Nile valley....
Burhinus senegalensis - Spotted Thick-kneeSpotted Thick-kneeThe Spotted Thick-knee, Burhinus capensis, also known as the Spotted Dikkop or Cape Thick-knee, is a stone-curlew in the family Burhinidae.- Description :...
Burhinus capensis
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of birds in the wader suborder Charadri. It contains two distinct groups, the pratincoles and the coursers. The coursers include the atypical Egyptian Plover, Pluvianus aegyptius, which has sometimes been placed in its own family...
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincole
Pratincole
The Pratincoles or Greywaders are a group of birds which together with the coursers and Egyptian Plover make up the family Glareolidae. They have short legs, very long pointed wings and long forked tails....
s, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the courser
Courser
The Coursers are a group of birds which together with the pratincoles make up the family Glareolidae. They have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards...
s, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Egyptian PloverEgyptian PloverThe Egyptian Plover is a wader, the only member of the genus Pluvianus. Formerly placed in the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae, it is now regarded as the sole member of its own monotypic family Pluvianidae....
Pluvianus aegyptius - Cream-colored Courser Cursorius cursor
- Temminck's CourserTemminck's CourserTemminck's Courser, Cursorius temminckii, is a bird in the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae. It is a wader which lives in sub-Saharan Africa....
Cursorius temminckii - Double-banded CourserDouble-banded CourserThe Double-banded Courser is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family.It is sometimes classified as the sole member of the genus Smutsornis as Smutsornis africanus....
Smutsornis africanus - Three-banded CourserThree-banded CourserThe Three-banded Courser is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:...
Rhinoptilus cinctus - Bronze-winged CourserBronze-winged CourserThe Bronze-winged Courser or Violet-tipped Courser is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family. It is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.-References:...
Rhinoptilus chalcopterus - Collared PratincoleCollared PratincoleThe Collared Pratincole or Common Pratincole, Glareola pratincola, is a wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae.Pratincoles are unusual among waders in that they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.The Collared Pratincole is a...
Glareola pratincola - Black-winged PratincoleBlack-winged PratincoleThe Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola nordmanni, is a wader in the pratincole bird family, Glareolidae.Their most unusual feature of the pratincoles is that although classed as waders they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the...
Glareola nordmanni - Madagascar PratincoleMadagascar PratincoleThe Madagascar Pratincole is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family.It is found in Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, possibly Mauritius, and possibly Réunion....
Glareola ocularis - Rock PratincoleRock PratincoleThe Rock Pratincole is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea,...
Glareola nuchalis
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Charadriidae
Charadriidae
The bird family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings, about 64 to 66 species in all.- Morphology :They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings, but most species of lapwing may have more rounded wings...
The family Charadriidae includes the plover
Plover
Plovers are a widely distributed group of wading birds belonging to the subfamily Charadriinae. There are about 40 species in the subfamily, most of them called "plover" or "dotterel". The closely related lapwing subfamily, Vanellinae, comprises another 20-odd species.Plovers are found throughout...
s, dotterels, and lapwing
Lapwing
Vanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
s. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Long-toed LapwingLong-toed LapwingThe Long-toed Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:*...
Vanellus crassirostris - Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus
- Spur-winged PloverSpur-winged PloverThe Spur-winged Lapwing or Spur-winged Plover is a lapwing species, one of a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae....
Vanellus spinosus - Black-headed LapwingBlack-headed LapwingThe Black-headed Plover or Black-headed Lapwing is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia, although it has seasonal movements. It lays two or three eggs on a ground scrape.These are...
Vanellus tectus - Senegal LapwingSenegal LapwingThe Senegal Lapwing or Lesser Black-winged Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria,...
Vanellus lugubris - Black-winged LapwingBlack-winged LapwingThe Black-winged Lapwing is an east African species that is found from the Ethiopian highlands in the north to central Kenya , and again at middle to coastal elevations in eastern South Africa . It is a habitat specialist of short grass in well-watered temperate grasslands...
Vanellus melanopterus - Crowned LapwingCrowned LapwingThe Crowned Lapwing , also known as the Crowned Plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits...
Vanellus coronatus - Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
- Spot-breasted LapwingSpot-breasted LapwingThe Spot-breasted Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family. It is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Vanellus melanocephalus (E) - Sociable LapwingSociable LapwingThe Sociable Lapwing or Sociable Plover is a wader in the lapwing family of birds.It breeds on open grassland in Russia and Kazakhstan. Three to five eggs are laid in a ground nest...
Vanellus gregarius - White-tailed LapwingWhite-tailed LapwingThe White-tailed Lapwing or White-tailed Plover is a wader in the lapwing genus.It breeds semi-colonially on inland marshes in Iraq, Iran and southern Russia. Four eggs are laid in a ground nest. The Iraqi and Iranian breeders are mainly residents, but Russian birds migrate south in winter to...
Vanellus leucurus (A) - Pacific Golden PloverPacific Golden PloverThe Pacific Golden Plover is a medium-sized plover.The 23–26 cm long breeding adult is spotted gold and black on the crown, back and wings. Its face and neck are black with a white border and it has a black breast and a dark rump. The legs are black...
Pluvialis fulva - Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
- Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
- Little Ringed PloverLittle Ringed PloverThe Little Ringed Plover is a small plover. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes with white above and a short dark bill...
Charadrius dubius - Kittlitz's PloverKittlitz's PloverThe Kittlitz’s Plover is a small plover found in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Nile delta. Some birds, especially in coastal areas, are resident, other populations are migratory or nomadic.-Description:...
Charadrius pecuarius - Three-banded PloverThree-banded PloverThe Three-banded Plover or Three-banded Sandplover, Charadrius tricollaris, is a small wader. This plover is resident in much of eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar, mainly on inland rivers, pools and lakes. Its nest is a bare scrape on shingle.The adult Three-banded Plover is 18 cm in...
Charadrius tricollaris - White-fronted PloverWhite-fronted PloverThe White-fronted Plover or White-fronted Sandplover, Charadrius marginatus, is a small wader. This plover is resident in much of Africa south of the Sahara on rocky, sandy or muddy coasts and large inland rivers and lakes....
Charadrius marginatus - Kentish PloverKentish PloverThe Kentish Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus, is a small wader in the plover bird family. Despite its name, this species no longer breeds in Kent, or even Great Britain...
Charadrius alexandrinus - Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus
- Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii
- Caspian PloverCaspian PloverThe Caspian Plover is a wader in the plover family of birds.It breeds on open grassland in central Asia, mainly to the north and east of the Caspian Sea. This bird breeds in loose colonies, with three eggs being laid in a ground nest. These birds migrate south in winter to east Africa, usually...
Charadrius asiaticus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae
The sandpipers are a large family, Scolopacidae, of waders or shorebirds. They include many species called sandpipers, as well as those called by names such as curlew and snipe. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil...
The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlew
Curlew
The curlews , genus Numenius, are a group of eight species of birds, characterised by long, slender, downcurved bills and mottled brown plumage. They are one of the most ancient lineages of scolopacid waders, together with the godwits which look similar but have straight bills...
s, godwit
Godwit
The godwits are a group of large, long-billed, long-legged and strongly migratory wading birds of the genus Limosa. They form large flocks on coasts and estuaries in winter....
s, shanks
Tringa
Tringa is a genus of waders, containing the shanks and tattlers. They are mainly freshwater birds, often with brightly coloured legs as reflected in the English names of six species, as well as the specific names of two of these and the Green Sandpiper. They are typically associated with northern...
, tattler
Tattler (bird)
The tattlers are the two very similar bird species in the shorebird genus Tringa. They formerly had their own genus, Heteroscelus. The old genus name means "different leg" in Greek, referring to the leg scales that differentiate the tattlers from their close relatives, the shanks.The species are:*...
s, woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
s, snipe
Snipe
A snipe is any of about 25 wading bird species in three genera in the family Scolopacidae. They are characterized by a very long, slender bill and crypsis plumage. The Gallinago snipes have a nearly worldwide distribution, the Lymnocryptes Jack Snipe is restricted to Asia and Europe and the...
s, dowitcher
Dowitcher
The three dowitchers are medium-sized long-billed wading birds. They resemble godwits in body and bill shape, and the reddish underparts in summer, but are much shorter legged, more like snipe to which they are also somewhat closer related...
s and phalarope
Phalarope
A phalarope or wadepiper is any of three living species of slender-necked shorebirds in the genus Phalaropus of the bird family Scolopacidae. They are close relatives of the shanks and tattlers, the Actitis and Terek Sandpipers, and also of the turnstones and calidrids...
s. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Jack SnipeJack SnipeThe Jack Snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus is a small stocky wader. It is the smallest snipe, and the only member of the genus Lymnocryptes...
Lymnocryptes minimus - Pintail SnipePintail SnipeThe Pin-tailed Snipe, Gallinago stenura, also known as the Pintail Snipe, is a small stocky wader. It breeds in northern Russia and migrates to spend the non-breeding season in southern Asia from Pakistan to Indonesia. It is the most common migrant snipe in southern India, Sri Lanka and much of...
Gallinago stenura - African SnipeAfrican SnipeThe African Snipe, Gallinago nigripennis, also known as the Ethiopian Snipe, is a small stocky wader. It breeds in eastern and southern Africa in wet mountain moorland and swamps at altitudes of 1700 - 4000m. When not breeding it disperses widely, including into coastal lowlands.-Description:This...
Gallinago nigripennis - Great SnipeGreat SnipeThe Great Snipe, Gallinago media is a small stocky wader in the genus Gallinago.This bird's breeding habitat is marshes and wet meadows with short vegetation in north-eastern Europe including north-western Russia. Great Snipes are migratory, wintering in Africa...
Gallinago media - Common SnipeCommon SnipeThe Common Snipe is a small, stocky wader native to the Old World. The breeding habitat is marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows throughout northern Europe and northern Asia...
Gallinago gallinago - Black-tailed GodwitBlack-tailed GodwitThe Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa, is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the Limosa genus, the godwits...
Limosa limosa - Bar-tailed GodwitBar-tailed GodwitThe Bar-tailed Godwit is a large wader in the family Scolopacidae, which breeds on Arctic coasts and tundra mainly in the Old World, and winters on coasts in temperate and tropical regions of the Old World...
Limosa lapponica - WhimbrelWhimbrelThe Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the mostwidespread of the curlews, breeding across much of subarctic North America, Europe and Asia as far south as Scotland....
Numenius phaeopus - Eurasian CurlewEurasian CurlewThe Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia...
Numenius arquata - Spotted RedshankSpotted RedshankThe Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus, is a wader in the large bird family Scolopacidae. It breeds across northern Scandinavia and northern Asia and migrates south to the Mediterranean, the southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia for the winter...
Tringa erythropus - Common RedshankCommon RedshankThe Common Redshank or simply Redshank is an Eurasian wader in the large family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
Tringa totanus - Marsh SandpiperMarsh SandpiperThe Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to central Asia....
Tringa stagnatilis - Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
- Green SandpiperGreen SandpiperThe Green Sandpiper is a small wader of the Old World. It represents an ancient lineage of the genus Tringa; its only close living relative is the Solitary Sandpiper . They both have brown wings with little light dots and a delicate but contrasting neck and chest pattern...
Tringa ochropus - Wood SandpiperWood SandpiperThe Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola, is a small wader. This Eurasian species is the smallest of the shanks, which are mid-sized long-legged waders of the family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
Tringa glareola - Terek SandpiperTerek SandpiperThe Terek Sandpiper is a small migratory Palearctic wader species, the only member of the genus Xenus.- Description and systematics :...
Xenus cinereus - Common SandpiperCommon SandpiperThe Common Sandpiper is a small Palearctic wader. This bird and its American sister species, the Spotted Sandpiper , make up the genus Actitis. They are parapatric and replace each other geographically; stray birds of either species may settle down with breeders of the other and hybridize...
Actitis hypoleucos - Ruddy TurnstoneRuddy TurnstoneThe Ruddy Turnstone is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. It is now classified in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family Charadriidae...
Arenaria interpres - Red KnotRed KnotThe Red Knot, Calidris canutus , is a medium sized shorebird which breeds in tundra and the Arctic Cordillera in the far north of Canada, Europe, and Russia. It is a large member of the Calidris sandpipers, second only to the Great Knot...
Calidris canutus - SanderlingSanderlingThe Sanderling is a small wader. It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia...
Calidris alba - Little StintLittle StintThe Little Stint, Calidris minuta , is a very small wader. It breeds in arctic Europe and Asia, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to Africa and south Asia...
Calidris minuta - Temminck's StintTemminck's StintTemminck's Stint, Calidris or Erolia temminckii, is a small wader.This stint's breeding habitat is bogs and marshes in the taiga of Arctic northern Europe and Asia. It will breed in southern Scandinavia and occasionally Scotland. It has a distinctive hovering display flight. It nests in a scrape...
Calidris temminckii - Long-toed StintLong-toed StintThe Long-toed Stint, Calidris or Erolia subminuta, is a small wader bird. It breeds across northern Asia and is strongly migratory, wintering in south and south east Asia and Australasia...
Calidris subminuta - Pectoral SandpiperPectoral SandpiperThe Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos, is a small wader. It is sometimes separated with the "stint" sandpipers in Erolia. This may or may not represent a good monophyletic group, depending on the placement of the phylogenetically enigmatic Curlew Sandpiper , the type species of Erolia...
Calidris melanotos - Curlew SandpiperCurlew SandpiperThe Curlew Sandpiper is a small wader that breeds on the tundra of Arctic Siberia. It is strongly migratory, wintering mainly in Africa, but also in south and southeast Asia and in Australasia...
Calidris ferruginea - DunlinDunlinThe Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, sometimes separated with the other "stints" in Erolia. It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions. Birds that breed in northern Europe and Asia are long-distance migrants, wintering south to Africa, southeast Asia and the Middle East...
Calidris alpina - Broad-billed SandpiperBroad-billed SandpiperThe Broad-billed Sandpiper is a small wading bird. It is the only member of the genus Limicola; some have proposed that it should be placed in the genus Erolia with the "stint" sandpipers, but more recent research suggests that it is should rather go into the genus Philomachus with the ruff and...
Limicola falcinellus - Ruff Philomachus pugnax
- Red-necked PhalaropeRed-necked PhalaropeThe Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus, is a small wader. This phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, unusually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans....
Phalaropus lobatus
Skuas and jaegers
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Pomarine SkuaPomarine SkuaThe Pomarine Skua, Stercorarius pomarinus, known as Pomarine Jaeger in North America, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. It is a migrant, wintering at sea in the tropical oceans.- Taxonomy :...
Stercorarius pomarinus - Arctic SkuaArctic SkuaThe Parasitic Jaeger, also known as the Arctic Skua or Parasitic Skua, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae....
Stercorarius parasiticus
Gulls
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gull
Gull
Gulls are birds in the family Laridae. They are most closely related to the terns and only distantly related to auks, skimmers, and more distantly to the waders...
s and kittiwake
Kittiwake
The kittiwakes are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged Kittiwake and the Red-legged Kittiwake . The epithets "Black-legged" and "Red-legged" are used to distinguish the two species in North America, but in Europe, where R...
s. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White-eyed GullWhite-eyed GullThe White-eyed Gull is a small gull which is endemic to the Red Sea. Its closest relative is the Sooty Gull. It is one of the world's rarest gulls, with a population of just 4,000 - 6,500 pairs. The species is classed as Near Threatened by the IUCN; human pressure and oil pollution are deemed the...
Larus leucophthalmus - Sooty GullSooty GullThe Sooty Gull is a species of gull in the Laridae family.It is found in Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen...
Larus hemprichii - Herring Gull Larus argentatus
- Lesser Black-backed GullLesser Black-backed GullThe Lesser Black-backed Gull is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa...
Larus fuscus - Caspian GullCaspian GullCaspian Gull is a name applied to the gull taxon Larus cachinnans, a member of the Herring Gull/Lesser Black-backed Gull complex.- Description :...
Larus cachinnans - Great Black-headed GullGreat Black-headed GullThe Pallas's Gull or Great Black-headed Gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus, is a large gull. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus Larus....
Larus ichthyaetus - Grey-headed GullGrey-headed GullThe Grey-headed Gull is a small gull which breeds patchily in South America and Africa south of the Sahara. It is not truly migratory, but is more widespread in winter. This species has occurred as a rare vagrant to North America and Spain. It is also known as the Grey-hooded Gull...
Larus cirrocephalus - Black-headed GullBlack-headed GullThe Black-headed Gull is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory, wintering further south, but some birds in the milder westernmost areas of Europe are resident...
Larus ridibundus - Slender-billed GullSlender-billed GullThe Slender-billed Gull, Chroicocephalus genei, is a mid-sized gull which breeds very locally around the Mediterranean and the north of the western Indian Ocean on islands and coastal lagoons. Most of the population is somewhat migratory, wintering further south to north Africa and India, and a...
Larus genei
Terns
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Sternidae
Tern
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
s are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Gull-billed TernGull-billed TernThe Gull-billed Tern formerly Sterna nilotica , is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae...
Sterna nilotica - Caspian TernCaspian TernThe Caspian Tern is a species of tern, with a subcosmopolitan but scattered distribution. Despite its extensive range, it is monotypic of its genus, and has no subspecies accepted either...
Sterna caspia - Lesser Crested TernLesser Crested TernThe Lesser Crested Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae...
Sterna bengalensis - Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
- Great Crested Tern Sterna bergii
- Roseate TernRoseate TernThe Roseate Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in bill colour and minor plumage details....
Sterna dougallii - Common TernCommon TernThe Common Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution, breeding in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and east and central North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. It is sometimes...
Sterna hirundo - Little TernLittle TernThe Little Tern, Sternula albifrons or Sterna albifrons, is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. It was formerly placed into the genus Sterna, which now is restricted to the large white terns . The former North American and Red Sea S. a...
Sterna albifrons - Saunders's TernSaunders's TernThe Saunders's Tern is a species of tern in the Sternidae family.It is found in Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.-References:...
Sterna saundersi - White-cheeked TernWhite-cheeked TernThe White-cheeked Tern is a species of tern in the Sternidae family.It is found in Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, and...
Sterna repressa - Bridled TernBridled TernThe Bridled Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. It is a bird of the tropical oceans.-Description:...
Sterna anaethetus - Whiskered TernWhiskered TernThe Whiskered Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in size and minor plumage details....
Chlidonias hybridus - White-winged TernWhite-winged TernThe White-winged Tern, or White-winged Black Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus, is a small tern generally found in or near bodies of fresh water across from Southeastern Europe east to Australia....
Chlidonias leucopterus - Black TernBlack TernThe Black Tern, Chlidonias niger, is a small tern generally found in or near inland water in Europe and North America. As its name suggests, it has predominantly dark plumage.- Description :...
Chlidonias niger - Brown NoddyBrown NoddyThe Brown Noddy or Common Noddy is a seabird from the tern family. The largest of the noddies, it can be told from the closely related Black Noddy by its larger size and plumage, which is dark brown rather than black...
Anous stolidus
Skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmer
Skimmer
The Skimmers, Rynchopidae, are a small family of tern-like birds in the order Charadriiformes, which also includes the waders, gulls and auks. The family comprises three species found in South Asia, Africa, and the Americas....
s are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- African SkimmerAfrican SkimmerThe African Skimmer is a skimmer that lives in Senegal to northern Congo River and southern Nile Valley, southern Tanzania to the Zambezi Valley, and then to Natal and Angola.- Appearance :...
Rynchops flavirostris
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes. Family: PteroclidaeSandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Chestnut-bellied SandgrouseChestnut-bellied SandgrouseThe Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus, is a species of sandgrouse. They are found in sparse, bushy, arid land which is common in central and northern Africa, and southern Asia. Though they live in hot, arid climates, they are highly reliant on water. They have been known to travel up...
Pterocles exustus - Spotted SandgrouseSpotted SandgrouseThe Spotted Sandgrouse is a species of bird in the Pteroclididae family.It is found in Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia,...
Pterocles senegallus - Yellow-throated SandgrouseYellow-throated SandgrouseThe Yellow-throated Sandgrouse is a species of bird in the Pteroclididae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:...
Pterocles gutturalis - Black-faced SandgrouseBlack-faced SandgrouseThe Black-faced Sandgrouse is a species of bird in the Pteroclididae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Pterocles decoratus - Lichtenstein's SandgrouseLichtenstein's SandgrouseThe Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse is a species of bird in the Pteroclididae family, which is named after Martin Lichtenstein. They are nomadic, mostly nocturnal birds, which drink before dawn and after dusk....
Pterocles lichtensteinii - Four-banded SandgrouseFour-banded SandgrouseThe Four-banded Sandgrouse is a medium-sized bird in the sandgrouse family.It breeds in a belt across Africa from Mauritania and Cameroon east to Sudan and Uganda. It is much more common in the west of its range...
Pterocles quadricinctus
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesColumbiformes
Columbiformes are an avian order that includes the very widespread and successful doves and pigeons, classified in the family Columbidae, and the extinct Dodo and the Rodrigues Solitaire, long classified as a second family Raphidae. 313 species, found worldwide, comprise the Columbiformes order....
. Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
s are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere
Cère
The Cère is a long river in south-western France, left tributary of the Dordogne River. Its source is in the south-western Massif Central, near the mountain Plomb du Cantal...
. There are 308 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Rock PigeonRock PigeonThe Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....
Columba livia - Speckled PigeonSpeckled PigeonThe Speckled Pigeon or Rock Pigeon is a pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over a good deal of its range, although there are sizeable gaps in its distribution.This species builds a large stick nest...
Columba guinea - White-collared PigeonWhite-collared PigeonThe White-collared Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columbidae family.The species is endemic to the Ethiopian highlands in Eritrea and Ethiopia. It occupies countryside surrounding rocky cliffs and gorges. Also common in town centres-Description: long. This large grey-brown pigeon has an obvious...
Columba albitorques - Rameron Pigeon Columba arquatrix
- Lemon Dove Columba larvata
- Turtle DoveTurtle DoveThe European Turtle Dove , also known as Turtle Dove, is a member of the bird family Columbidae, which includes the doves and pigeons.-Distribution & Status:...
Streptopelia turtur - Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens
- African Collared DoveAfrican Collared DoveThe African Collared Dove is a small dove found in Africa in the arid region south of the Sahara. Its range extends in a band right across the continent, and into southern Arabia. Although it lives in arid lands, it is found around water sources.This bird is typically around 26 cm in length...
Streptopelia roseogrisea - White-winged Collared Dove Streptopelia reichenowi
- African Mourning DoveAfrican Mourning DoveThe Mourning Collared Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. Despite its name, it is not a close relative of the North American Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura. This species is common or abundant near water...
Streptopelia decipiens - Red-eyed DoveRed-eyed DoveThe Red-eyed Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common, if not abundant, species in most habitats other than desert....
Streptopelia semitorquata - Ring-necked DoveRing-necked DoveThe Ring-necked Dove , also known as the Cape Turtle Dove and the Half-Collared Dove, is a widespread and abundant bird in the bush, savannah, farmlands, and woodlands of southern and eastern Africa. Their name comes from a black patch of feathers on the back of their necks...
Streptopelia capicola - Vinaceous DoveVinaceous DoveThe Vinaceous Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in a belt across Africa just south of the Sahara Desert....
Streptopelia vinacea - Laughing DoveLaughing DoveThe Laughing Dove is a small pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in the tropics in Africa south of the Sahara, the Middle East and southern Asia east to India. In India it is also known as the Little Brown Dove...
Streptopelia senegalensis - Emerald-spotted Wood DoveEmerald-spotted Wood DoveThe Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur chalcospilos, is a pigeon which is a widespread and often abundant resident breeding bird in eastern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa. It also occurs in a belt from northern Botswana west to northern Namibia, and in a narrow coastal strip through Angola to...
Turtur chalcospilos - Black-billed Wood DoveBlack-billed Wood DoveThe Black-billed Wood Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in a belt across Africa just south of the Sahara Desert....
Turtur abyssinicus - Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer
- Tambourine DoveTambourine DoveThe Tambourine Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in woodlands and other thick vegetation in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Its range extends from Senegal east to Ethiopia and Kenya and southwards through eastern Africa to south-eastern South Africa, but it is absent...
Turtur tympanistria - Namaqua DoveNamaqua DoveThe Namaqua Dove is a small pigeon. It is the only species in the genus Oena. .-Description:The Namaqua Dove is a tiny sparrow-sized pigeon, typically 22 cm in length with a 28–33 cm wingspan, and weighing 40g. It has a very long black tapered tail, and the size and shape have led to...
Oena capensis - Bruce's Green Pigeon Treron waalia
- African Green Pigeon Treron calva
Parrots, macaws and allies
Order: Psittaciformes. Family: PsittacidaeParrot
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
s are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Rose-ringed ParakeetRose-ringed ParakeetThe Rose-ringed Parakeet , also known as the Ringnecked Parakeet, is a gregarious tropical parakeet species that has an extremely large range. Since the trend of the population appears to be increasing, the species has been evaluated as Least Concern by IUCN in 2009.Rose-ringed parakeets are...
Psittacula krameri - Red-headed LovebirdRed-headed LovebirdThe Red-headed Lovebird also known as the Red-faced Lovebird is a member of the genus Agapornis, a group commonly known as Lovebirds. Like other lovebirds it is native to Africa.-Description:...
Agapornis pullarius - Black-winged Lovebird Agapornis taranta (E)
- Meyer's ParrotMeyer's ParrotThe Meyer's Parrot is a small , stocky African parrot. Meyer's parrots display a dull brown head, back and tail, green or blue-green abdomen, blue rump and bright yellow markings on the carpal joint of the wings. Most subspecies have some yellow on the top of the head as well. Forshaw recognizes...
Poicephalus meyeri - Red-bellied ParrotRed-bellied ParrotThe Red-bellied Parrot is a small African parrot about 23 cm long of the Poicephalus genus. It is a mostly greenish and grey parrot. Males have a bright orange belly and females have a greenish belly....
Poicephalus rufiventris - Yellow-fronted ParrotYellow-fronted ParrotThe Yellow-fronted Parrot is endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands. It is a mostly green parrot with a yellow head. Relatively little is known about this bird.-Taxonomy:...
Poicephalus flavifrons (E)
Turacos
Order: CuculiformesCuculiformes
The near passerine bird order Cuculiformes traditionally included three families as below:* Musophagidae - turacos and allies* Cuculidae - cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anis* Opisthocomidae - Hoatzin...
. Family: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured birds, usually blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White-cheeked TuracoWhite-cheeked TuracoThe White-cheeked Turaco is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family.It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. A mid-sized species is measures in length, including a tail of , and weighs .-References:...
Tauraco leucotis - Prince Ruspoli's TuracoPrince Ruspoli's TuracoThe Ruspoli's Turaco , also known as Prince Ruspoli's Turaco or Touraco De Ruspoli, is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family. It is endemic to southern Ethiopia where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests...
Tauraco ruspolii (E) - Bare-faced Go-away-birdBare-faced Go-away-birdThe Bare-faced Go-away bird is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family.It is found in two areas of Africa: one in southern Ethiopia, and the other in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. It is named after its distinctive "go-away"...
Corythaixoides personatus - White-bellied Go-away-birdWhite-bellied Go-away-birdThe White-bellied Go-away-bird, Corythaixoides leucogaster, is a widespread bird of Africa in the turaco family.- Description :This species averages 51 cm in length. Its long, pointed grey and black tail with a white median band is distinctive. A white wing patch is conspicuous in flight...
Corythaixoides leucogaster - Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
Cuckoos and anis
Order: CuculiformesCuculiformes
The near passerine bird order Cuculiformes traditionally included three families as below:* Musophagidae - turacos and allies* Cuculidae - cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anis* Opisthocomidae - Hoatzin...
. Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoo
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
s, roadrunner
Geococcyx
The roadrunners are two species of bird in the genus Geococcyx of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, native to North and Central America...
s and anis
Ani (bird)
The anis are the three species of near-passerine birds in the genus Crotophaga of the cuckoo family. They are essentially tropical New world birds, although the range of two species just reaches the United States...
. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Pied CuckooPied CuckooThe Jacobin Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, or Pied Crested Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds that is found in Africa and Asia. It is partially migratory and in India, it has been considered a harbinger of the Monsoon rains due to the timing of its arrival...
Clamator jacobinus - Levaillant's CuckooLevaillant's CuckooLevaillant's Cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii is a cuckoo which is a resident breeding species in Africa south of the Sahara. It is found in bushy habitats. It is a brood parasite, using the nests of bulbuls and babblers...
Clamator levaillantii - Great Spotted CuckooGreat Spotted CuckooThe Great Spotted Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals....
Clamator glandarius - Red-chested CuckooRed-chested CuckooThe Red-chested Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is a medium-sized bird , found in Africa south of the Sahara.-Distribution and habitat:...
Cuculus solitarius - Black CuckooBlack CuckooThe Black Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. The species is distributed widely across sub-Saharan Africa...
Cuculus clamosus - Common CuckooCommon CuckooThe Common Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals....
Cuculus canorus - African CuckooAfrican CuckooThe African Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Cuculus gularis - Klaas's CuckooKlaas's CuckooThe Klaas's Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,...
Chrysococcyx klaas - African Emerald CuckooAfrican Emerald CuckooThe African Emerald Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Chrysococcyx cupreus - Dideric CuckooDideric CuckooThe Diederik Cuckoo , formerly Dideric Cuckoo or Didric Cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin....
Chrysococcyx caprius - YellowbillYellowbillThe Yellowbill is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. The species is sometimes known as the Green Malkoha. It is monotypic within the genus Ceuthmochares. There are three subspecies that display some differences in plumage colouration; all subspecies have a greyish belly, head and throat...
Ceuthmochares aereus - Black CoucalBlack CoucalThe Black Coucal is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Centropus grillii - Blue-headed CoucalBlue-headed CoucalThe Blue-headed Coucal is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Centropus monachus - Senegal CoucalSenegal CoucalThe Senegal Coucal, Centropus senegalensis, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin....
Centropus senegalensis - White-browed CoucalWhite-browed CoucalThe White-browed Coucal is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in sub-Saharan Africa.The southern subspecies is sometimes split as Burchell's Coucal, Centropus burchelli...
Centropus superciliosus
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes. Family: TytonidaeTytonidae
Barn-owls are one of the two families of owls, the other being the true owls, Strigidae. They are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons...
Barn owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
s are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- African Grass-OwlAfrican Grass-owlThe African Grass Owl is a species of owl in the Tytonidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe...
Tyto capensis - Barn OwlBarn OwlThe Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
Tyto alba
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes. Family: StrigidaeTypical owl
Typical owl
True owl or Typical owl are one of the two generally accepted families of Owls, the other being the barn owls . The Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy unites the Caprimulgiformes with the owl order; here, the typical owls are a subfamily Strigidae...
s are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- African Scops OwlAfrican Scops OwlThe African Scops Owl is a small owl endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.-Identification:The African Scops Owl has a distinctive "prrrp" call which occurs around every 5 seconds:-External links:...
Otus senegalensis - European Scops OwlEuropean Scops OwlThe European Scops Owl , also known as the Eurasian Scops Owl or just Scops Owl, is a small owl. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.This bird breeds in southern...
Otus scops - Northern White-faced OwlNorthern White-faced OwlThe Northern White-faced Owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family. The Southern White-faced Owl was formerly included in this species and the two were known as the White-faced Scops-Owl....
Ptilopsis leucotis - Southern White-faced OwlSouthern White-faced OwlThe Southern White-faced Owl is a fairly small owl in the family Strigidae. It is native to the southern half of Africa. It was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Northern White-faced Owl but the two are now commonly treated as separate species.It is 22-28 centimetres long and weighs...
Ptilopsis granti - Pharaoh Eagle-OwlPharaoh Eagle-owlThe Pharaoh Eagle-Owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family.It is found in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates.-References:* BirdLife International 2004....
Bubo ascalaphus - Cape Eagle-OwlCape Eagle-owlThe Cape Eagle-Owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family.It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe....
Bubo capensis - Spotted Eagle OwlSpotted Eagle OwlThe Spotted Eagle-Owl is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the Eagle owls. Its height is forty-five cm and its weight is from 480 to 850g . It has a to wingspan. The facial disk is off white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow...
Bubo africanus - Greyish Eagle Owl Bubo cinerascens
- Verreaux's Eagle OwlVerreaux's Eagle OwlVerreaux's Eagle-Owl, Bubo lacteus , is a member of the family Strigidae and is the largest African owl. This owl is claimed to be the world's third largest owl; after the Blakiston's Fish Owl and Eurasian Eagle-Owl.- Description :Verreaux's Eagle-Owl ranges from 66–75 cm in length...
Bubo lacteus - Pel's Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli
- African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii
- Pearl-spotted OwletPearl-spotted OwletThe Pearl-spotted Owlet is an owl which breeds in Africa south of the Sahara. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.Pearl-spotted Owlet is a common and easily seen...
Glaucidium perlatum - Little OwlLittle OwlThe Little Owl is a bird which is resident in much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and north Africa. It is not native to Great Britain, but was first introduced in 1842, and is now naturalised there...
Athene noctua - African Long-eared OwlAfrican Long-eared OwlThe Abyssinian Owl or African Long-eared Owl, Asio abyssinicus, is a medium-sized owl with yellow eyes, a black bill and gray eyebrows. It is similar in appearance to the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, but is overall darker, and their ranges do not overlap...
Asio abyssinicus - Short-eared OwlShort-eared OwlThe Short-eared Owl is a species of typical owl . In Scotland this species of owl is often referred to as a cataface, grass owl or short-horned hootlet. Owls belonging to genus Asio are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may...
Asio flammeus - Marsh OwlMarsh OwlThe Marsh Owl, Asio capensis, is a species of owl which is a mainly resident breeder in Africa and Madagascar.This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl...
Asio capensis
Nightjars
Order: CaprimulgiformesCaprimulgiformes
The Caprimulgiformes is an order of birds that includes a number of birds with global distribution . They are generally insectivorous and nocturnal...
. Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjar
Nightjar
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. They are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats . Some New World species are named as nighthawks...
s are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus
- Sombre NightjarSombre NightjarThe Sombre Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Caprimulgus fraenatus - Egyptian NightjarEgyptian NightjarThe Egyptian Nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius, is a medium-small nightjar which occurs in south west Asia and north Africa, and winters in tropical Africa. It is a late migrant, seldom appearing before the end of April or beginning of May...
Caprimulgus aegyptius - Nubian NightjarNubian NightjarThe Nubian Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Israel, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.-References:...
Caprimulgus nubicus - Donaldson-Smith's NightjarDonaldson-Smith's NightjarThe Donaldson Smith's Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Caprimulgus donaldsoni - Fiery-necked NightjarFiery-necked NightjarThe Fiery-necked Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Caprimulgus pectoralis - Abyssinian Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus
- Swamp NightjarSwamp NightjarThe Swamp Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Caprimulgus natalensis - Plain NightjarPlain NightjarThe Plain Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger,...
Caprimulgus inornatus - Star-spotted NightjarStar-spotted NightjarThe Star-spotted Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Caprimulgus stellatus - Nechisar NightjarNechisar NightjarThe Nechisar Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia.The species was first discovered in 1990 when researchers discovered a decomposing specimen in the Nechisar National Park...
Caprimulgus solala (E) - Freckled NightjarFreckled NightjarThe Freckled Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia,...
Caprimulgus tristigma - Long-tailed NightjarLong-tailed NightjarThe Long-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Caprimulgus climacurus - Slender-tailed NightjarSlender-tailed NightjarThe Slender-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Caprimulgus clarus - Square-tailed NightjarSquare-tailed NightjarThe Square-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,...
Caprimulgus fossii - Pennant-winged NightjarPennant-winged NightjarThe Pennant-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius, is an intra-African migrant that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. The male is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries. In addition the males acquire a striking 9th primary feather during the...
Macrodipteryx vexillarius - Standard-winged NightjarStandard-winged NightjarThe Standard-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx longipennis, is a bird in the nightjar family.-Distribution and habitat:It is a resident breeder in Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia...
Macrodipteryx longipennis
Swifts
Order: ApodiformesApodiformes
Traditionally, the bird order Apodiformes contained three living families: the swifts , the tree swifts , and the hummingbirds . In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, this order is raised to a superorder Apodimorphae in which hummingbirds are separated as a new order, Trochiliformes...
. Family: Apodidae
Swift
Swift
The swifts are a family, Apodidae, of highly aerial birds. They are superficially similar to swallows, but are actually not closely related to passerine species at all; swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes, which they share with hummingbirds...
s are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Scarce SwiftScarce SwiftThe Scarce Swift is a species of swift in the Apodidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Schoutedenapus myoptilus - African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
- Alpine SwiftAlpine SwiftThe Alpine Swift syn. is a species of Swift. The bird is superficially similar to a large Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes...
Tachymarptis melba - Mottled SwiftMottled SwiftThe Mottled Swift is a species of bird in the swift family, Apodidae. It is one of two species in the genus Tachymarptis together with the Alpine Swift . It occurs widely in eastern Africa and locally in western Africa...
Tachymarptis aequatorialis - Common SwiftCommon SwiftThe Common Swift is a small bird, superficially similar to the Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes...
Apus apus - Nyanza SwiftNyanza SwiftThe Nyanza Swift is a species of swift in the Apodidae family.It is found in Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Apus niansae - Pallid SwiftPallid SwiftThe Pallid Swift is a small bird, superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since the swifts are in the order Apodiformes...
Apus pallidus - Little SwiftLittle SwiftThe Little Swift , is a small bird, superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles...
Apus affinis - Horus SwiftHorus SwiftThe Horus Swift, Apus horus, is a small bird in the swift family. It breeds in sub-Saharan Africa. It has an extensive continuous distribution from eastern and southern South Africa north to southern Zambia and central Mozambique, and has recently colonised the De Hoop Nature Reserve area of the...
Apus horus - White-rumped SwiftWhite-rumped SwiftThe White-rumped Swift is a small swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a House Martin, it is completely unrelated to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.Swifts have very short legs...
Apus caffer
Mousebirds
Order: Coliiformes. Family: ColiidaeThe mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic, and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Speckled MousebirdSpeckled MousebirdThe Speckled Mousebird is the largest species of mousebird, as well as one of the most common.- Description :This bird is about 35 cm long, with the tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs about 57 grams...
Colius striatus - White-headed MousebirdWhite-headed MousebirdThe White-headed Mousebird is a bird belonging to the mousebird family, Coliidae. It is found only in east Africa where it occurs in southern Somalia and parts of Kenya with its range just extending into southern Ethiopia and northern Tanzania...
Colius leucocephalus - Blue-naped MousebirdBlue-naped MousebirdThe Blue-naped Mousebird, Urocolius macrourus, is a bird found in the drier parts of eastern Africa. It has also been known as the "Blue-naped Coly" under binomial Colius macrourus.- Physical characteristics :...
Urocolius macrourus
Trogons and Quetzals
Order: Trogoniformes. Family: TrogonidaeThe family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Narina TrogonNarina TrogonThe Narina Trogon, Apaloderma narina, is a medium-sized , largely green forest bird in the Trogonidae family, the most widespread and catholic in habitat choice of three Apaloderma trogons...
Apaloderma narina
Kingfishers
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Half-collared KingfisherHalf-collared KingfisherThe Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata is a species of kingfisher that feeds almost exclusively on fish and can be found near water at all times. It can be found on shores and around larger bodies of water in southern and eastern Africa....
Alcedo semitorquata - Malachite KingfisherMalachite KingfisherThe Malachite Kingfisher is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate related movements....
Alcedo cristata - African Pygmy-KingfisherAfrican Pygmy-KingfisherThe African Pygmy Kingfisher is a small insectivorous kingfisher found in the Afrotropics, mostly in woodland habitats. Some texts refer to this species as Ceyx pictus.-Description:...
Ispidina picta - Grey-headed KingfisherGrey-headed KingfisherThe Grey-headed Kingfisher has a wide distribution from the Cape Verde Islands off the north-west coast of Africa to Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia, east to Ethiopia, Somalia and southern Arabia and south to South Africa....
Halcyon leucocephala - Woodland KingfisherWoodland KingfisherThe Woodland Kingfisher is a tree kingfisher.-Description:This is a medium-sized kingfisher, 20–23 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wing panel and tail. Its head, neck and underparts are white, and its shoulders are black. The flight of the Woodland Kingfisher is rapid and direct...
Halcyon senegalensis - Blue-breasted KingfisherBlue-breasted KingfisherThe Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica, is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical west Africa. This kingfisher is essentially resident, but retreats from drier savanna areas to wetter habitats in the dry season....
Halcyon malimbica - Striped KingfisherStriped KingfisherThe Striped Kingfisher is a species of bird in the tree kingfisher family. It was first described by Edward, Lord Stanley, in Salt's Voyage to Abyssinia in 1814 as "Chelicut Kingfisher" Alaudo Chelicuti....
Halcyon chelicuti - Collared KingfisherCollared KingfisherThe Collared Kingfisher is a medium-sized kingfisher belonging to the family Halcyonidae, the tree kingfishers. It is also known as the White-collared Kingfisher or Mangrove Kingfisher. It has a wide range extending from the Red Sea across southern Asia and Australasia to Polynesia...
Todirhamphus chloris - Giant KingfisherGiant KingfisherThe Giant Kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in Africa, where it is a resident breeding bird over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert other than the arid southwest....
Megaceryle maximus - Pied KingfisherPied KingfisherThe Pied Kingfisher is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Their black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish makes it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a...
Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine
Near passerine
Near passerine or higher land-bird assemblage are terms often given to arboreal birds or those most often believed to be related to the true passerines due to ecological similarities; the group corresponds to some extent with the Anomalogonatae of Garrod All near passerines are land birds...
birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Red-throated Bee-eaterRed-throated Bee-eaterThe Red-throated Bee-eater is a species of bird in the Meropidae family.This species has a large range, and is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania,...
Merops bulocki - Little Bee-eaterLittle Bee-eaterThe little Bee-eater, Merops pusillus is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It is resident in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It should not be confused with the Little Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis. Migration is limited to seasonal movements depending on rainfall...
Merops pusillus - Blue-breasted Bee-eaterBlue-breasted Bee-eaterThe Blue-breasted Bee-eater is a species of bird in the Meropidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and...
Merops variegatus - Swallow-tailed Bee-eaterSwallow-tailed Bee-eaterThe Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in savannah woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is partially migratory, moving in response to rainfall patterns....
Merops hirundineus - Somali Bee-eaterSomali Bee-eaterThe somali bee-eater is a species of bird in the Meropidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Tanzania....
Merops revoilii - White-throated Bee-eaterWhite-throated Bee-eaterThe White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in semi-desert along the southern edge of the Sahara, Africa...
Merops albicollis - Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eaterBlue-cheeked Bee-eaterThe Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Merops persicus, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds in Northern Africa, and the Middle East from eastern Turkey to Kazakhstan and India. It is generally strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, although some populations breed...
Merops persicus - Madagascar Bee-eaterMadagascar Bee-eaterThe Olive Bee-eater, is a near passerine bee-eater species in the genus Merops.-References: Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern...
Merops superciliosus - European Bee-eaterEuropean Bee-eaterThe European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India and Sri Lanka...
Merops apiaster - Northern Carmine Bee-eaterNorthern Carmine Bee-eaterThe Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. Alternative common names include the Carmine Bee-eater or the Nubian Bee-eater.-Distribution:...
Merops nubicus
Typical rollers
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
s in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s and bee-eater
Bee-eater
The bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa and Asia but others occur in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers...
s. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- European RollerEuropean RollerThe European Roller, Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East and Central Asia and Morocco....
Coracias garrulus - Abyssinian RollerAbyssinian RollerThe Abyssinian Roller, Coracias abyssinicus, is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across tropical Africa in a belt south of the Sahara, known as the Sahel...
Coracias abyssinica - Lilac-breasted RollerLilac-breasted RollerThe Lilac-breasted Roller is a member of the roller family of birds. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, preferring open woodland and savanna; it is largely absent from treeless places...
Coracias caudata - Rufous-crowned RollerRufous-crowned RollerThe Purple Roller , also called the Rufous-crowned Roller, is found over sub-Saharan Africa to as far south as Namibia and the Transvaal. Compared with other rollers its colours are rather dull and its voice rather harsh and grating...
Coracias naevia - Broad-billed RollerBroad-billed RollerThe Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus glaucurus, is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across tropical Africa and Madagascar in all but the driest regions. It is a wet season breeder, which migrates from the northern and southern areas of its range towards the moister equatorial...
Eurystomus glaucurus
Hoopoes
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- HoopoeHoopoeThe Hoopoe is a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers. It is the only extant species in the family Upupidae. One insular species, the Giant Hoopoe of Saint Helena, is extinct, and the Madagascar subspecies of the Hoopoe is sometimes...
Upupa epops
Woodhoopoes
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s, roller
Roller
The rollers are an Old World family, Coraciidae, of near passerine birds. The group gets its name from the aerial acrobatics some of these birds perform during courtship or territorial flights. Rollers resemble crows in size and build, and share the colourful appearance of kingfishers and...
s and hoopoe
Hoopoe
The Hoopoe is a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers. It is the only extant species in the family Upupidae. One insular species, the Giant Hoopoe of Saint Helena, is extinct, and the Madagascar subspecies of the Hoopoe is sometimes...
. They most resemble the last species with their long curved bills, used for probing for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. There are 8 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
- Violet WoodhoopoeViolet WoodhoopoeThe Violet Wood Hoopoe is a species of bird in the Phoeniculidae family. It is found in Angola, Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Phoeniculus damarensis - Black-billed WoodhoopoeBlack-billed WoodhoopoeThe Black-billed Wood Hoopoe is a species of bird in the Phoeniculidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.-References:...
Phoeniculus somaliensis - Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus
- Abyssinian Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus minor
Hornbills
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Red-billed HornbillRed-billed HornbillRed-billed Hornbill is a relatively small species of hornbill found in savanna and woodland of sub-Saharan Africa. It is sometimes split into five species, the Northern Red-billed Hornbill , Western Red-billed Hornbill , Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill , Southern Red-billed Hornbill Red-billed...
Tockus erythrorhynchus - Eastern Yellow-billed HornbillEastern Yellow-billed HornbillThe Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill , formerly Northern Yellow-billed Hornbill, is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. It resembles the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, but has blackish skin around...
Tockus flavirostris - Jackson's HornbillJackson's HornbillThe Jackson's Hornbill is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family. It is found in Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. Except for the dense white spots to the wing-coverts, it resembles, and is often considered a subspecies of, Von der Decken's Hornbill.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Tockus jacksoni - Von der Decken's HornbillVon der Decken's HornbillVon der Decken's Hornbill is a hornbill. Hornbills are a family of tropical near-passerine birds found in East Africa, especially to the east of the Rift Valley, from Ethiopia south to Tanzania. It is mainly found in thorn scrub and similar arid habitats. It often includes Jackson's Hornbill as...
Tockus deckeni - Crowned HornbillCrowned HornbillThe Crowned Hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus, is an African hornbill. It is a medium-sized bird, with a length between 50 and 54 cm, and it is characterized by its white belly and black back and wings. The tips of the long tail feathers are white. The eyes are yellow; the beak is red and...
Tockus alboterminatus - Hemprich's HornbillHemprich's HornbillThe Hemprich's Hornbill is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.-References:...
Tockus hemprichii - African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus
- Silvery-cheeked HornbillSilvery-cheeked HornbillThe Silvery-cheeked Hornbill is a large bird at in length with a very large creamy casque on the beak. The female has a smaller casque and reddish skin around the eyes. The head is silver-grey and the rest of the plumage is iridescent black, except for the white rump, lower back, thighs, vent and...
Ceratogymna brevis - Abyssinian Ground-HornbillAbyssinian Ground-hornbillThe Abyssinian Ground Hornbill or Northern Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus, is one of two species of ground hornbill. The other is the Southern Ground Hornbill....
Bucorvus abyssinicus
Barbets
Order: PiciformesPiciformes
Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes, the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives...
. Family: Lybiidae
Lybiidae
The Lybiidae is a bird family containing the African barbets. They were usually united with their American and Asian relatives in the Capitonidae for quite some time, but this has been confirmed to be limited to the main American lineage. There are 42 species ranging from the type genus Lybius of...
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. African barbets belong to the Lybiidae family. There are 42 species of African barbets and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Yellow-fronted TinkerbirdYellow-fronted TinkerbirdThe Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus, is a small African barbet formerly known as Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet. Barbets are near passerine birds with bristles around the base of the bill and a world-wide tropical distribution....
Pogoniulus chrysoconus - Red-fronted TinkerbirdRed-fronted TinkerbirdThe Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus formerly known as Red-fronted Tinker Barbet is a small African barbet. Barbets are near passerine birds with bristles around the base of the bill...
Pogoniulus pusillus - Red-fronted BarbetRed-fronted BarbetThe Red-fronted Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
Tricholaema diademata - Black-throated BarbetBlack-throated BarbetThe Black-throated Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Tricholaema melanocephala - Banded BarbetBanded BarbetThe Banded Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
Lybius undatus - Vieillot's BarbetVieillot's BarbetThe Vieillot's Barbet, Lybius vieilloti, is a small African barbet. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a world-wide tropical distribution. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills....
Lybius vieilloti - Black-billed BarbetBlack-billed BarbetThe Black-billed Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Lybius guifsobalito - Double-toothed BarbetDouble-toothed BarbetThe Double-toothed Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia,...
Lybius bidentatus - Yellow-breasted BarbetYellow-breasted BarbetThe Yellow-breasted Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, and Sudan.-References:...
Trachyphonus margaritatus - Red-and-yellow BarbetRed-and-yellow BarbetThe Red-and-yellow Barbet is a species of African barbet found in eastern Africa. The males of the species have distinctive black , red and yellow plumage, while youngsters and females are similar, but a little more dull. The species lives in broken terrain and both nests and roosts in burrows...
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus - D'Arnaud's BarbetD'Arnaud's BarbetD'Arnaud's Barbet is an African barbet. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical distribution. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills...
Trachyphonus darnaudii
Honeyguides
Order: PiciformesPiciformes
Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes, the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives...
. Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax
Wax
thumb|right|[[Cetyl palmitate]], a typical wax ester.Wax refers to a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C to give a low viscosity liquid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents...
. They are named for the behaviour of the Greater Honeyguide
Greater Honeyguide
The Greater Honeyguide is a bird in the family Indicatoridae, paleotropical near passerine birds related to the woodpeckers. Its English and scientific names refer to its habit of guiding people to bee colonies....
which leads large animals to bees' nests and then feeds on the wax once the animal has broken the nest open to get at the honey. There are 17 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Scaly-throated HoneyguideScaly-throated HoneyguideThe Scaly-throated Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife...
Indicator variegatus - Greater HoneyguideGreater HoneyguideThe Greater Honeyguide is a bird in the family Indicatoridae, paleotropical near passerine birds related to the woodpeckers. Its English and scientific names refer to its habit of guiding people to bee colonies....
Indicator indicator - Lesser HoneyguideLesser HoneyguideThe Lesser Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,...
Indicator minor - Cassin's HoneyguideCassin's HoneyguideThe Cassin's Honeybird , also known as the Cassin's Honeyguide, is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family....
Prodotiscus insignis - Green-backed HoneyguideGreen-backed HoneyguideThe Green-backed Honeybird , also known as the Eastern Green-backed Honeyguide or Green-backed Honeyguide, is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family....
Prodotiscus zambesiae - Wahlberg's HoneyguideWahlberg's HoneyguideThe Brown-backed Honeybird , also known as the Wahlberg's Honeybird or Wahlberg's Honeyguide, is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family....
Prodotiscus regulus
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: PiciformesPiciformes
Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes, the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives...
. Family: Picidae
Picidae
The woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks are a family, Picidae, of near-passerine birds. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia and New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions...
Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Eurasian WryneckEurasian WryneckThe Eurasian Wryneck, Jynx torquilla, is a species of wryneck in the family of woodpeckers.This species breeds in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It is migratory, wintering in tropical Africa and southern Asia. It is a bird of open woodland and orchards...
Jynx torquilla - Rufous-necked WryneckRufous-necked WryneckThe Red-throated Wryneck, Jynx ruficollis, is a species of wryneck in the woodpecker family. It is also known as the Rufous-necked Wryneck, Red-breasted Wryneck, African Wryneck or Rufous-throated Wryneck....
Jynx ruficollis - Nubian WoodpeckerNubian WoodpeckerThe Nubian Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is distributed widely in Central and Eastern Africa, from Chad in west to Somalia in east and Tanzania in south.-References:...
Campethera nubica - Green-backed WoodpeckerGreen-backed WoodpeckerThe Green-backed Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan,...
Campethera cailliautii - Abyssinian WoodpeckerAbyssinian WoodpeckerThe Abyssinian Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.- References :* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
Dendropicos abyssinicus (E) - Cardinal WoodpeckerCardinal WoodpeckerThe Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens, is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species found in a wide range of habitats from dense forest to thornbush...
Dendropicos fuscescens - Bearded WoodpeckerBearded WoodpeckerThe Bearded Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Dendropicos namaquus - Grey WoodpeckerGrey WoodpeckerThe Grey Woodpecker, Mesopicos goertae, is a widespread and frequently common resident breeder in much of Sub-Saharan and equatorial Africa...
Dendropicos goertae - Grey-headed WoodpeckerGrey-headed WoodpeckerThe Grey-headed Woodpecker , also known as the Grey-faced Woodpecker, is a Eurasian member of the woodpecker family Piciformes....
Dendropicos spodocephalus - Brown-backed WoodpeckerBrown-backed WoodpeckerThe Brown-backed Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria,...
Dendropicos obsoletus
Pittas
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PittidaePittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- African PittaAfrican PittaThe African Pitta, Pitta angolensis, is a species of bird in the Pittidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique,...
Pitta angolensis
Larks
Order: Passeriformes. Family: AlaudidaeLarks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Singing BushlarkSinging BushlarkThe Singing Bush Lark is a species of lark found in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.- Range and population :The range of M. cantillans is quite extensive, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km2; and its global population is thought to be large, though it has...
Mirafra cantillans - White-tailed LarkWhite-tailed LarkThe White-tailed Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range :The range of M. albicauda is quite large, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 430,000 square km., endemic in Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.- Habitat :The...
Mirafra albicauda - Friedmann's LarkFriedmann's LarkThe Friedmann's Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range & population :Friedmann's Lark is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, but its population and real range is very poorly known....
Mirafra pulpa - Red-winged LarkRed-winged LarkThe Red-winged Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Population and range :The range of Red-winged Lark is quite extensive within Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 660,000 km2.Its total population has yet to...
Mirafra hypermetra - Rufous-naped LarkRufous-naped LarkThe Rufous-naped Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range :The Rufous-naped lark's range is very large, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 5,600,000 square km...
Mirafra africana - Flappet LarkFlappet LarkThe Flappet Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range and population :Mirafra rufocinnamomea has a large range covering much of the African continent with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 square km...
Mirafra rufocinnamomea - Collared LarkCollared LarkThe Collared Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range and population :Mirafra collaris has a considerable range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 530,000 square km. over Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia....
Mirafra collaris - Gillett's LarkGillett's LarkThe Gillett's Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range :Mirafra gilletti has a somewhat wide range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 690,000 square km. over Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia....
Mirafra gilletti - Degodi LarkDegodi LarkThe Degodi Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family endemic to Ethiopia.- Identification :A small , slender lark, with abundant streaking, very similar to a pipit, Anthus. Markings on breast faint on light, buff underbelly...
Mirafra degodiensis (E) - Pink-breasted LarkPink-breasted LarkThe pink-breasted lark is a species of passerine bird in the Alaudidae family.- Range :M. poecilosterna is estimated to have a global Extent of Occurrence of 560,000 km2...
Calendulauda poecilosterna - Fawn-colored Lark Calendulauda africanoides
- Foxy Lark Calendulauda alopex
- Archer's LarkArcher's LarkThe Archer's Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family. It is endemic to Somalia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* BirdLife International 2005. . Downloaded...
Heteromirafra archeri (A) - Sidamo LarkSidamo LarkThe Sidamo Lark , also known as Liben Lark, is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss and unlike previously believed its population is rapidly...
Heteromirafra sidamoensis (E) - Chestnut-backed Sparrow-LarkChestnut-backed Sparrow-larkThe Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis, is a passerine bird which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.This lark is a bird of open dry habitats. It nests on the ground and lays one egg. The food is insects and seeds....
Eremopterix leucotis - Black-crowned Sparrow-LarkBlack-crowned Sparrow-larkThe Black-crowned Sparrow-lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.It is found in Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia,...
Eremopterix nigriceps - Chestnut-headed Sparrow-LarkChestnut-headed Sparrow-larkThe chestnut-headed sparrow-lark is a species of passerine bird in the Alaudidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Israel, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan....
Eremopterix signata - Desert LarkDesert LarkThe Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti, breeds in deserts and semi-deserts from the Sahara east through the Arabian peninsula and the Middle East to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan....
Ammomanes deserti - Greater Hoopoe-LarkGreater Hoopoe-larkThe Greater Hoopoe-lark or Hoopoe Lark , is a passerine bird which is a breeding resident of arid, desert and semi-desert regions from the Cape Verde Islands across much of north Africa, through the Arabian peninsula , Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India...
Alaemon alaudipes - Bimaculated LarkBimaculated LarkThe Bimaculated Lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata, breeds in warm temperate countries eastwards from Turkey into Central Asia. It is the eastern counterpart of its relative, the Calandra Lark....
Melanocorypha bimaculata - Greater Short-toed LarkGreater Short-toed LarkThe Greater Short-toed Lark or sometimes just Short-toed Lark is a small passerine bird. It breeds in southern Europe, northwest Africa, and across temperate Asia from Turkey and southern Russia to Mongolia. It is sometimes considered conspecific with Calandrella cinerea...
Calandrella brachydactyla - Blanford's LarkBlanford's LarkBlanford's Lark or Blanford's Short-toed Lark is a small passerine bird of the lark family, Alaudidae. It occurs in north-east Africa and Arabia. Its name commemorates the English zoologist William Thomas Blanford. It was formerly included in either the Greater Short-toed Lark or the Red-capped...
Calandrella blanfordi - Erlanger's LarkErlanger's LarkErlanger’s Lark is a small passerine bird of the lark family. It occurs in Africa in the highlands of Ethiopia.It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of Blanford's Lark, Calandrella blanfordi, but Clements splits this form as a separate species-References:*...
Calandrella erlangeri (E) - Red-capped LarkRed-capped LarkThe Red-capped Lark, Calandrella cinerea, is a small passerine bird. This lark breeds in the highlands of eastern Africa southwards from Ethiopia and northern Somalia. In the south, its range stretches across the continent to Angola and south to the Cape in South Africa.This is a species of short...
Calandrella cinerea - Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica
- Masked LarkMasked LarkThe Masked Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.It is found in Ethiopia and Kenya.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.-References:...
Spizocorys personata - Crested LarkCrested LarkThe Crested Lark, Galerida cristata, breeds across most of temperate Eurasia from Portugal to northeast China and eastern India, and in Africa south to Niger...
Galerida cristata - Thekla LarkThekla LarkThe Thekla Lark, Galerida theklae, breeds in Iberia, northern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary species....
Galerida theklae - Short-tailed LarkShort-tailed LarkThe Short-tailed Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Pseudalaemon. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania....
Pseudalaemon fremantlii
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes. Family: HirundinidaeThe Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Sand MartinSand MartinThe Sand Martin is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, part of northern Asia and also North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America and South Asia...
Riparia riparia - Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
- Banded MartinBanded MartinThe Banded Martin or Banded Sand Martin, Riparia cincta, is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.The Banded Martin is found in open habitats such as farmland, grassland and savannah, usually near water...
Riparia cincta - Grey-rumped SwallowGrey-rumped SwallowThe Grey-rumped Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Pseudhirundo griseopyga - Crag MartinCrag MartinThe Eurasian Crag Martin or just Crag Martin is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It is about 14 cm long with ash-brown upperparts and paler underparts, and a short, square tail that has distinctive white patches on most of its feathers. It breeds in the mountains of southern...
Ptyonoprogne rupestris - Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
- Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
Hirundo rustica - Red-chested SwallowRed-chested SwallowThe Red-chested Swallow is a small non-migratory passerine bird found in Africa in West Africa, the Congo basin and Ethiopia. It has a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings....
Hirundo lucida - Ethiopian SwallowEthiopian SwallowThe Ethiopian Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Israel, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan,...
Hirundo aethiopica - Wire-tailed SwallowWire-tailed SwallowThe Wire-tailed Swallow is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. Swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores, such as the related martins and the unrelated swifts ....
Hirundo smithii - White-tailed SwallowWhite-tailed SwallowThe White-tailed Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family.It is endemic to Ethiopia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.It is threatened by habitat loss....
Hirundo megaensis (E) - Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
- Mosque SwallowMosque SwallowThe Mosque Swallow is a large swallow. It is a resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa, although most common in the west. It does not migrate, but will follow the rains to some extent....
Cecropis senegalensis - Red-rumped SwallowRed-rumped SwallowThe Red-rumped Swallow is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It breeds in open hilly country of temperate southern Europe and Asia from Portugal and Spain to Japan, India and tropical Africa. The Indian and African birds are resident, but European and other Asian birds are migratory...
Cecropis daurica - Red Sea SwallowRed Sea SwallowThe Red Sea Cliff Swallow , also known as the Red Sea Swallow, is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
Petrochelidon perdita - Red-throated SwallowRed-throated SwallowThe Red-throated Cliff Swallow , also known as the Red-throated Swallow, is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family. It is found in Angola, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Zambia....
Petrochelidon rufigula - House MartinHouse MartinThe Common House Martin , sometimes called the Northern House Martin or, particularly in Europe, just House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia...
Delichon urbica - White-headed SawwingWhite-headed SawwingThe White-headed Saw-wing , also known as the White-headed Rough-winged Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family....
Psalidoprocne albiceps - Blue Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MotacillidaeMotacillidae
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. There are around 65 species in 6 genera and they include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. The longclaws are entirely restricted to the Afrotropics, and the wagtails are predominately found in Europe, Africa and...
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White WagtailWhite Wagtail"Pied Wagtail" redirects here. For the related African bird, see African Pied Wagtail.The White Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa...
Motacilla alba - African Pied WagtailAfrican Pied WagtailThe African Pied Wagtail is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.-Habitat and distribution:It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial...
Motacilla aguimp - Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
- Grey WagtailGrey WagtailThe Grey Wagtail is a small member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae. The species looks similar to the Yellow Wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat...
Motacilla cinerea - Mountain WagtailMountain WagtailThe Mountain Wagtail , also known as the Long-tailed Wagtail, is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family....
Motacilla clara - Golden PipitGolden PipitThe Golden Pipit is a distinctive pipit of dry country grassland, savanna and shrubland in eastern Africa. It is native to Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and has occurred as a vagrant to Oman, South Africa and Zimbabwe.The adult male, unlike most pipits, is very easy to...
Tmetothylacus tenellus - Abyssinian LongclawAbyssinian LongclawThe Abyssinian Longclaw, Macronyx flavicollis, is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia.-Habitat:Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and arable land.The Abyssinian Longclaw is very similar in both appearance and behavior to the...
Macronyx flavicollis (E) - Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
- Buffy PipitBuffy PipitThe Buffy Pipit is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Anthus vaalensis - African PipitAfrican PipitThe African Pipit is a fairly small passerine bird belonging to the pipit genus Anthus in the family Motacillidae. It is also known as the Grassveld Pipit or Grassland Pipit...
Anthus cinnamomeus - Tawny PipitTawny PipitThe Tawny Pipit, Anthus campestris, is a medium-large passerine bird which breeds in much of temperate Europe and Asia, and northwest Africa. It is a migrant moving in winter to tropical Africa and the Indian subcontinent....
Anthus campestris - Long-billed PipitLong-billed PipitThe Long-billed Pipit or Brown Rock Pipit is a passerine bird which has a wide distribution. A number of subspecies have been created for the populations in Africa, through the Arabian peninsula and South Asia. The systematics of this complex is yet to be clarified...
Anthus similis - Bush PipitBush PipitThe Bush Pipit or Bushveld Pipit is a species of bird in the pipit and wagtail family Motacillidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and dry...
Anthus caffer - Tree PipitTree PipitTree Pipit, Anthus trivialis, is a small passerine bird which breeds across most of Europe and temperate western and central Asia. It is a long-distance migrant moving in winter to Africa and southern Asia....
Anthus trivialis - Red-throated PipitRed-throated PipitThe Red-throated Pipit is a small passerine bird which breeds in the far north of Europe and Asia, with a foothold in northern Alaska. It is a long-distance migrant moving in winter to Africa, south and east Asia and west coast USA...
Anthus cervinus
Cuckoo-shrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CampephagidaeThe cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White-breasted Cuckoo-shrikeWhite-breasted Cuckoo-shrikeThe White-breasted Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali,...
Coracina pectoralis - Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia
- Black Cuckoo-shrikeBlack Cuckoo-shrikeThe Black Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural...
Campephaga flava - Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrikeRed-shouldered Cuckoo-shrikeThe Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Campephaga phoenicea
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PycnonotidaeBulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests. There are 130 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Common BulbulCommon BulbulThe Common Bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a ubiquitous resident breeder throughout Africa...
Pycnonotus barbatus - Sombre GreenbulSombre GreenbulThe Sombre Greenbul, Andropadus importunus, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in coastal bush, evergreen forest and dry shrub land in eastern Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape in South Africa.-Identification:...
Andropadus importunus - Yellow-throated GreenbulYellow-throated GreenbulThe Yellow-throated Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Chlorocichla flavicollis - Northern BrownbulNorthern BrownbulThe Northern Brownbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Phyllastrephus strepitans
Grey Hypocolius
Order: Passeriformes. Family: HypocoliidaeThe Grey Hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird. They are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes, and with the shape and soft plumage of the waxwings.
- HypocoliusHypocoliusThe Grey Hypocolius or simply Hypocolius is a small passerine bird species. It is the sole member of the genus Hypocolius and it is placed in a family of its own, the Hypocoliidae. This slender and long tailed bird is found in the dry semi-desert region of northern Africa, Arabia, Afghanistan,...
Hypocolius ampelinus
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TurdidaeThe thrushes
Thrush (bird)
The thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds that occur worldwide.-Characteristics:Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. The smallest thrush may be the Forest Rock-thrush, at and...
are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Rufous-tailed Rock ThrushRufous-tailed Rock ThrushThe Common Rock Thrush , formerly Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush or Rock Thrush, is a chat belonging to the Muscicapidae family. It was formerly placed in the Turdidae family....
Monticola saxatilis - Little Rock Thrush Monticola rufocinereus
- Blue Rock ThrushBlue Rock ThrushThe Blue Rock Thrush is a species of chat. This thrush-like Old World flycatcher was formerly placed in the family Turdidae....
Monticola solitarius - Abyssinian Ground Thrush Zoothera piaggiae
- Groundscraper ThrushGroundscraper ThrushThe Groundscraper Thrush is a passerine bird of southern and eastern Africa belonging to the thrush family Turdidae. It is the only member of the genus Psophocichla....
Psophocichla litsipsirupa - Olive ThrushOlive ThrushThe Olive Thrush is, in its range, one of the most common members of the thrush family . It occurs in east African highlands from Eritrea and Ethiopia in north to the Cape of Good Hope in south...
Turdus olivaceus - African ThrushAfrican ThrushThe African Thrush is a passerine bird in the thrush family Turdidae. It is common in well-wooded areas over much of sub-Saharan Africa. Populations are resident....
Turdus pelios - African Bare-eyed ThrushAfrican Bare-eyed ThrushThe African Bare-eyed Thrush is a species of bird in the Turdidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Turdus tephronotus - Song ThrushSong ThrushThe Song Thrush is a thrush that breeds across much of Eurasia. It is also known in English dialects as throstle or mavis. It has brown upperparts and black-spotted cream or buff underparts and has three recognised subspecies...
Turdus philomelos
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CisticolidaeCisticolidae
The Cisticolidae family of small passerine birds is a group of about 110 warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are often included within the Old World warbler family Sylviidae....
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Red-faced CisticolaRed-faced CisticolaThe Red-faced Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia,...
Cisticola erythrops - Singing CisticolaSinging CisticolaThe Singing Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali,...
Cisticola cantans - Chubb's CisticolaChubb's CisticolaThe Chubb's Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Cisticola chubbi - Boran CisticolaBoran CisticolaThe Boran Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan....
Cisticola bodessa - Rattling CisticolaRattling CisticolaThe Rattling Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Cisticola chiniana - Ashy CisticolaAshy CisticolaThe Ashy Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania....
Cisticola cinereolus - Red-pate CisticolaRed-pate CisticolaThe Red-pate Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.Its natural...
Cisticola ruficeps - Winding CisticolaWinding CisticolaThe Winding Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It has a scattered distribution across Africa south of the Sahara.-Taxonomy:...
Cisticola galactotes - Stout CisticolaStout CisticolaThe Stout Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia...
Cisticola robustus - Croaking CisticolaCroaking CisticolaThe Croaking Cisticola, Cisticola natalensis, is an Old World warbler in the genus Cisticola. This genus is sometimes split off with various other southern warbler genera and given family status as the Cisticolidae....
Cisticola natalensis - Siffling CisticolaSiffling CisticolaThe Short-winged Cisticola , also known as the Siffling Cisticola, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family...
Cisticola brachypterus - Foxy CisticolaFoxy CisticolaThe Foxy Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is native to Central African Republic The Foxy Cisticola (Cisticola troglodytes) is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is native to Central African Republic The Foxy Cisticola (Cisticola troglodytes) is a species of...
Cisticola troglodytes - Tiny CisticolaTiny CisticolaThe Tiny Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania....
Cisticola nana - Zitting CisticolaZitting CisticolaThe Zitting Cisticola or Streaked Fantail Warbler , is widely distributed Old World warbler whose breeding range includes southern Europe, Africa outside the deserts and rainforest, and southern Asia down to northern Australia...
Cisticola juncidis - Desert CisticolaDesert CisticolaThe Desert Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its...
Cisticola aridulus - Black-necked CisticolaBlack-necked CisticolaThe Black-necked Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo,...
Cisticola eximius - Pectoral-patch CisticolaPectoral-patch CisticolaThe Pectoral-patch Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are damp or wet areas in upland grassland.-Description:At 9-10cm...
Cisticola brunnescens - Graceful PriniaGraceful PriniaThe Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis, is a small warbler . This prinia is a resident breeder in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, from Egypt and Somalia east to Pakistan and North India, where it is sometimes called Streaked Wren-Warbler.This active passerine bird is typically found in shrub or...
Prinia gracilis - Tawny-flanked PriniaTawny-flanked PriniaThe Tawny-flanked Prinia is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Prinia in the family Cisticolidae, a family of Old World warblers. It is widespread and common in most parts of Africa south of the Sahara. The Plain Prinia The Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) is a small passerine...
Prinia subflava - Pale PriniaPale PriniaThe Pale Prinia is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan.Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Prinia somalica - Red-winged Prinia Prinia erythroptera
- Cricket LongtailCricket LongtailThe Cricket Warbler or Cricket Longtail is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It belongs to the genus Spiloptila; it is often the only species included in the genus but sometimes the Red-fronted Warbler is placed there as well.It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea,...
Spiloptila clamans - Yellow-breasted ApalisYellow-breasted ApalisThe Yellow-breasted Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Apalis flavida - Red-fronted WarblerRed-fronted WarblerThe Red-fronted Warbler or Red-faced Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is dry savanna....
Urorhipis rufifrons - Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
- Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SylviidaeSylviidae
Sylviidae is a family of passerine birds that was part of an assemblage known as the Old World warblers. The family was formerly a wastebin taxon with over 400 species of bird in over 70 genera. The family was poorly defined with many characteristics shared with other families...
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 51 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- African Bush-WarblerAfrican Bush-warblerThe African Bush-warbler or Little Rush-Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family....
Bradypterus baboecala - Bamboo Scrub-WarblerBamboo Scrub-warblerThe Bamboo Warbler or Bamboo Scrub-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia....
Bradypterus alfredi - Cinnamon Bracken-WarblerCinnamon Bracken-warblerThe Cinnamon Bracken-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and...
Bradypterus cinnamomeus - Moustached Grass-WarblerMoustached Grass-warblerThe Moustached Grass-Warbler is a species of African Warbler, formerly placed in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea,...
Melocichla mentalis - Grasshopper WarblerGrasshopper WarblerThe Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella naevia, is an Old World warbler in the grass warbler genus Locustella. It breeds across much of temperate Europe and Asia. It is migratory, wintering from northwest Africa to India....
Locustella naevia - River WarblerRiver WarblerThe River Warbler, Locustella fluviatilis, is an Old World warbler in the grass warbler genus Locustella. It breeds in east and central Europe into western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in east Africa....
Locustella fluviatilis - Savi's WarblerSavi's WarblerThe Savi's Warbler, Locustella luscinioides, is an Old World warbler in the grass warbler genus Locustella. It breeds in southern Europe into temperate western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa....
Locustella luscinioides - Sedge WarblerSedge WarblerThe Sedge Warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a medium-sized warbler with a brown, streaked back and wings and a distinct pale supercilium. Sedge Warblers are migratory, crossing the Sahara to get from their European and Asian breeding grounds to spend winter in Africa...
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus - Reed WarblerReed WarblerThe Eurasian Reed Warbler, or just Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into temperate western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa....
Acrocephalus scirpaceus - African Reed-WarblerAfrican Reed-warblerThe African Reed Warbler or African Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in much of Africa south of the Sahara...
Acrocephalus baeticatus - Marsh WarblerMarsh WarblerThe Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus palustris, is an Old World warbler currently classified in the family Acrocephalidae. It breeds in temperate Europe and western Asia and winters mainly in south east Africa...
Acrocephalus palustris - Great Reed WarblerGreat Reed WarblerThe Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus, is an Eurasiaan songbird in the genus Acrocephalus. It used to be placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but nowadays is recognized to be part of the marsh- and tree-warbler family .-Description:This is a large thrush-sized warbler,...
Acrocephalus arundinaceus - Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus
- Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis
- Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris
- Eastern Olivaceous WarblerEastern Olivaceous WarblerThe Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a "warbler", formerly placed in the Old World warblers when these were a paraphyletic wastebin taxon. It is now considered a member of the acrocephaline warbelrs, Acrocephalidae, in the tree warbler genus Hippolais ...
Hippolais pallida - Upcher's WarblerUpcher's WarblerThe Upcher's Warbler, , is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais. It breeds in an area from Turkey south and east to Pakistan...
Hippolais languida - Olive-tree WarblerOlive-tree WarblerThe Olive-tree Warbler is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais. It breeds in southeast Europe and the near east. It is migratory, wintering in eastern and southern Africa, from Kenya south to South Africa.This small passerine bird is a species found in open-canopy oakwoods,...
Hippolais olivetorum - Icterine WarblerIcterine WarblerThe Icterine Warbler is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais . It breeds in mainland Europe except the southwest, where it is replaced by its western counterpart, Melodious Warbler. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa...
Hippolais icterina - African Yellow Warbler Chloropeta natalensis
- Buff-bellied WarblerBuff-bellied WarblerThe Buff-bellied Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Phyllolais....
Phyllolais pulchella - Yellow-vented EremomelaYellow-vented EremomelaThe Yellow-Vented Eremomela, Eremomela flavicrissalis, is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family. It is found in dry savannas in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Eremomela flavicrissalis - Yellow-bellied EremomelaYellow-bellied EremomelaThe Yellow-bellied Eremomela is an Old World warbler. However, the taxonomy of the "African warblers", an assemblage of usually species-poor and apparently rather ancient "odd warblers" from Africa is currently in a state of flux.The Yellow-bellied Eremomela is a common breeding species in Africa...
Eremomela icteropygialis - Senegal EremomelaSenegal EremomelaThe Senegal Eremomela, Eremomela pusilla, is a warbler.These 10.5 cm long warblers have olive upperparts and yellow underparts. The throat is white. The sexes are similar in appearance.Like most warblers, the Green-backed Eremomela is insectivorous...
Eremomela pusilla - Green-backed EremomelaGreen-backed EremomelaThe Green-backed Eremomela, Eremomela canescens, is a small warbler. This bird is a common resident breeder in tropical Africa from Kenya to The Green-backed Eremomela, Eremomela canescens, is a small [[Old World warbler|warbler]]...
Eremomela canescens - Northern CrombecNorthern CrombecThe Northern Crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali,...
Sylvietta brachyura - Short-billed CrombecShort-billed CrombecPhilippa's Crombec , also known as the Short-billed Crombec, is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae. It is found in Ethiopia and Somalia. Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:...
Sylvietta philippae - Red-faced CrombecRed-faced CrombecThe Red-faced Crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae.It is found in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe....
Sylvietta whytii - Somali CrombecSomali CrombecThe Somali Crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Sylvietta isabellina - Brown Woodland-WarblerBrown Woodland-warblerThe Brown Woodland-Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Phylloscopidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
Phylloscopus umbrovirens - Willow WarblerWillow WarblerThe Willow Warbler is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia...
Phylloscopus trochilus - Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
- Western Bonelli's WarblerWestern Bonelli's WarblerWestern Bonelli's Warbler is a "warbler" in the leaf warbler genus Phylloscopus. It was formerly regarded as the western subspecies of a wider "Bonelli's Warbler" species, but as a result of modern taxonomic developments, this species is now usually considered to be two species :* Western Bonelli's...
Phylloscopus bonelli - Eastern Bonelli's WarblerEastern Bonelli's WarblerEastern Bonelli's Warbler is a "warbler" in the leaf warbler genus Phylloscopus. It was formerly regarded as the eastern subspecies of a wider "Bonelli's Warbler" species, but as a result of modern taxonomic developments, this species is now usually considered to be two species :* Western Bonelli's...
Phylloscopus orientalis - Wood WarblerWood WarblerThe Wood Warbler is a common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe, and just into the extreme west of Asia in the southern Ural Mountains...
Phylloscopus sibilatrix - Yellow-bellied HyliotaYellow-bellied HyliotaThe Yellow-Bellied Hyliota is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Hyliota flavigaster - Fan-tailed GrassbirdFan-tailed GrassbirdThe Fan-tailed Grassbird or Broad-tailed Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family....
Schoenicola brevirostris - BlackcapBlackcapThe Blackcap is a common and widespread sylviid warbler which breeds throughout temperate Europe, western Asia and northwestern Africa, and winters from northwestern Europe south to tropical Africa...
Sylvia atricapilla - Garden WarblerGarden WarblerThe Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin, is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe into western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in central and southern Africa...
Sylvia borin - Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis
- Lesser WhitethroatLesser WhitethroatThe Lesser Whitethroat is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds in temperate Europe, except the southwest, and in western and central Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, wintering in Africa just south of the Sahara, Arabia and India.Unlike many typical warblers,...
Sylvia curruca - African Desert WarblerAfrican Desert WarblerThe African Desert Warbler Sylvia deserti is a typical warbler which breeds in the deserts of northwestern Africa south of the Atlas Mountains from southern Morocco east to western Libya and south to Mali and Niger. It winters in the same area, and does not migrate other than short distances...
Sylvia deserti - Barred WarblerBarred WarblerThe Barred Warbler is a typical warbler which breeds across temperate regions of central and eastern Europe and western and central Asia. This passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical eastern Africa....
Sylvia nisoria - Western Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis
- Red Sea WarblerRed Sea WarblerThe Arabian Warbler or Red Sea Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen....
Sylvia leucomelaena - Rueppell's Warbler Sylvia rueppelli
- Subalpine WarblerSubalpine WarblerThe Subalpine Warbler, Sylvia cantillans, is a small typical warbler which breeds in the southernmost areas of Europe and northwest Africa. This small passerine bird is migratory, and winters along the southern edge of the Sahara...
Sylvia cantillans - Sardinian WarblerSardinian WarblerThe Sardinian Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala, is a common and widespread typical warbler from the Mediterranean region.-Description:...
Sylvia melanocephala - Menetries's WarblerMenetries's WarblerMenetries's Warbler or Ménétries's Warbler is a small passerine bird of south-west Asia belonging to the genus Sylvia. The name of the species commemorates Édouard Ménétries, the French zoologist who described the species in 1832...
Sylvia mystacea - Brown WarblerBrown WarblerThe Brown Parisoma or Brown Warbler is a typical warbler found in Africa....
Parisoma lugens - Banded WarblerBanded WarblerThe Banded Parisoma, Banded Tit Warbler, or Banded Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.Length:...
Parisoma boehmi
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MuscicapidaeOld World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 52 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- SilverbirdSilverbird (bird)The Silverbird is a long passerine bird native to Eastern Africa.- Description :The Silverbird is a stunning flycatcher of open areas west of the Rift Valley, silvery grey above and tawny orange below...
Empidornis semipartitus - Pale FlycatcherPale FlycatcherThe Pale Flycatcher is a bird species of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, found in Africa.- Range :It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea,...
Bradornis pallidus - African Grey Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus
- Abyssinian Slaty-FlycatcherAbyssinian Slaty-flycatcherThe Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is often placed in the genus Dioptrornis instead. Its natural habitats are forest, woodland and farmlands in the highlands of Eritrea and Ethiopia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 25...
Melaenornis chocolatinus - Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides
- Spotted FlycatcherSpotted FlycatcherThe Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range....
Muscicapa striata - Gambaga FlycatcherGambaga FlycatcherThe Gambaga Flycatcher is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda,...
Muscicapa gambagae - African Dusky FlycatcherAfrican Dusky FlycatcherThe African Dusky Flycatcher or Dusky Alseonax, Muscicapa adusta, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. It is a resident breeder in Africa from Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Ethiopia south to South Africa...
Muscicapa adusta - Gray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
- European Pied FlycatcherEuropean Pied FlycatcherThe Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family, one of the four species of Western Palearctic black-and-white flycatchers. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia. It is migratory, wintering mainly in western Africa. It hybridizes with...
Ficedula hypoleuca - Collared FlycatcherCollared FlycatcherThe Collared Flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family, one of the four species of Western Palearctic black-and-white flycatchers. It breeds in southeast Europe and southwest Asia and is migratory, wintering in sub Sahara Africa...
Ficedula albicollis - Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata
- Thrush NightingaleThrush NightingaleThe Thrush Nightingale, Luscinia luscinia , is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae...
Luscinia luscinia - Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
- BluethroatBluethroatThe Bluethroat is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae...
Luscinia svecica - White-throated RobinWhite-throated RobinThe White-throated Robin is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, family Muscicapidae...
Irania gutturalis - Rueppell's Robin-ChatRueppell's Robin-chatThe Rueppell's Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania....
Cossypha semirufa - White-browed Robin-ChatWhite-browed Robin-chatThe White-browed Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South...
Cossypha heuglini - Red-capped Robin-ChatRed-capped Robin-chatThe Red-capped Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South...
Cossypha natalensis - Snowy-crowned Robin-ChatSnowy-crowned Robin-chatThe Snowy-crowned Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is also known as the Snowy-headed Robin-chat....
Cossypha niveicapilla - White-crowned Robin-ChatWhite-crowned Robin-chatThe White-crowned Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Togo.Its natural habitats are...
Cossypha albicapilla - Spotted Morning-ThrushSpotted Morning-thrushThe Spotted Palm Thrush , also known as the Spotted Morning-thrush, is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda...
Cichladusa guttata - Red-backed Scrub-RobinRed-backed Scrub-robinThe White-browed Scrub Robin , also known as the Red-backed Scrub-robin, is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family...
Cercotrichas leucophrys - Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes
- African Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas minor
- Black Scrub-RobinBlack Scrub-robinThe Black Scrub-robin is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Jordan, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and...
Cercotrichas podobe - Black RedstartBlack RedstartThe Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros is a small passerine bird in the redstart genus Phoenicurus. Like its relatives, it was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family , but is now known to be an Old World flycatcher .-Description:The Black Redstart is 13–14.5 cm in length and 12–20...
Phoenicurus ochruros - Common RedstartCommon RedstartThe Common Redstart , or often simply Redstart, is a small passerine bird in the redstart genus Phoenicurus...
Phoenicurus phoenicurus - WhinchatWhinchatThe Whinchat Saxicola rubetra is a small migratory passerine bird breeding in Europe and western Asia and wintering in Africa.Its scientific name means "small rock-dweller", in reference to its habitat...
Saxicola rubetra - European StonechatEuropean StonechatThe European Stonechat is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a subspecies of the Common Stonechat. Long considered a member of the thrush family Turdidae, genetic evidence has placed it and its relatives in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.It is 11.5–13 cm long and...
Saxicola rubicola - African StonechatAfrican StonechatThe African Stonechat is a species of the Old World flycatcher family , inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family , to which the chats are convergent...
Saxicola torquata - White-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga
- Somali WheatearSomali WheatearThe Somali Wheatear is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is found in Ethiopia and Somalia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland....
Oenanthe phillipsi - Northern WheatearNorthern WheatearThe Northern Wheatear or Wheatear is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae...
Oenanthe oenanthe - Mourning WheatearMourning WheatearThe Mourning Wheatear is a bird, one of 14 species of wheatear found in the Palearctic region. It is a small passerine in a group formerly classed as members of the Thrush family Turdidae, but now more generally considered to be part of the Old World Flycatcher family Muscicapidae.The Mourning...
Oenanthe lugens - Pied WheatearPied WheatearThe Pied Wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka, is a wheatear, a small insectivorous passerine that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae....
Oenanthe pleschanka - Cyprus WheatearCyprus WheatearThe Cyprus Wheatear or Cyprus Pied Wheatear is a small, 14–15 cm long passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae...
Oenanthe cypriaca - Black-eared WheatearBlack-eared WheatearThe Black-eared Wheatear is a wheatear, a small migratory passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae....
Oenanthe hispanica - Red-tailed WheatearRed-tailed WheatearThe Red-tailed Wheatear , also known as the Rusty-tailed Wheatear, Persian Wheatear or Afghan Wheatear, is a small passerine bird breeding in mountainous areas of south-west and central Asia...
Oenanthe xanthoprymna - Desert WheatearDesert WheatearThe Desert Wheatear is a wheatear, a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae....
Oenanthe deserti - Isabelline WheatearIsabelline WheatearThe Isabelline Wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina, is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae....
Oenanthe isabellina - Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae
- Heuglin's WheatearHeuglin's WheatearHeuglin's Wheatear is a small passerine bird in the wheatear genus Oenanthe. It occurs in a band across Africa to the south of the Sahara. It was formerly classified as a subspecies of Botta's Wheatear of the Ethiopian Highlands and Arabia but is now usually regarded as a separate species...
Oenanthe heuglini - Familiar ChatFamiliar ChatThe Familiar Chat, Cercomela familiaris, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara in rocky and mountainous habitat and around human habitation.-Description:...
Cercomela familiaris - Brown-tailed ChatBrown-tailed ChatThe Brown-tailed Rock Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda....
Cercomela scotocerca - Sombre ChatSombre ChatThe Sombre Rock Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Ethiopia and Somalia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Cercomela dubia - BlackstartBlackstartThe Blackstart, Cercomela melanura, is a chat found in desert regions in North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula.It is a 14–16 cm long bird named for its black tail, which is frequently fanned; the rest of its plumage is bluish-grey or grey-brown...
Cercomela melanura - Moorland ChatMoorland ChatThe Moorland Chat , also known as the Alpine Chat or Hill Chat, is a species of songbird in the Old World Flycatcher family. It is endemic to north-east Africa where it is common in its habitat. It lives at high altitudes on moors and grassland, usually above 3,400 m , but can live as low as...
Cercomela sordida - Rueppell's ChatRueppell's ChatRüppell's Black Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Myrmecocichla melaena (E) - White-fronted Black-ChatWhite-fronted Black-chatThe White-fronted Black Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria,...
Myrmecocichla albifrons (A) - Mocking Cliff-ChatMocking Cliff-chatThe Mocking Cliff Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania,...
Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris - White-winged Cliff-ChatWhite-winged Cliff-chatThe White-winged Cliff-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is found in rocky wooded gorges, among boulders and in road cuttings within the Ethiopian highlands....
Thamnolaea semirufa
Wattle-eyes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PlatysteiridaeThe wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
- Gray-headed Batis Batis orientalis
- Black-headed BatisBlack-headed BatisThe Black-headed Batis is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda...
Batis minor - Pygmy BatisPygmy BatisThe pygmy batis is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is dry savanna....
Batis perkeo
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MonarchidaeThe monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White-tailed Crested-FlycatcherWhite-tailed Crested-flycatcherThe White-tailed Crested-flycatcher is a species of bird in the flycatcher family Stenostiridae. It has a discontinuous distribution in eastern Africa. There are three subspecies, E. a. albonotata of central Kenya, and Uganda through to south west Tanzania; E. a. subvaerulea, which ranges from...
Elminia albonotata - African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Babblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TimaliidaeThe babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- African Hill BabblerAfrican Hill BabblerThe African Hill Babbler is a species of bird in the Sylviidae family, in the monotypic genus Pseudoalcippe....
Illadopsis abyssinica - Fulvous Chatterer Turdoides fulvus
- Scaly ChattererScaly ChattererThe Scaly Chatterer is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Turdoides aylmeri - Rufous ChattererRufous ChattererThe Rufous Chatterer is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland....
Turdoides rubiginosus - Dusky BabblerDusky BabblerThe Dusky Babbler is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.-References:...
Turdoides tenebrosus - Black-lored BabblerBlack-lored BabblerThe Black-lored Babbler is a species of songbird in the Timaliidae familyAs defined here, it consists of two populations with widely separated ranges, one in northwestern Botswana, northern Namibia, and Angola; the other in southwestern Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and the part of the...
Turdoides sharpei - Scaly BabblerScaly BabblerThe Scaly Babbler is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Turdoides squamulatus - White-rumped BabblerWhite-rumped BabblerThe White-rumped Babbler is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
Turdoides leucopygius - Cretzschmar's Babbler Turdoides leucocephalus
- Brown BabblerBrown BabblerThe Brown Babbler is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra...
Turdoides plebejus - Abyssinian CatbirdAbyssinian CatbirdThe Abyssinian Catbird is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Parophasma.It is endemic to Ethiopia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
Parophasma galinieri (E)
Chickadees and titmice
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ParidaeThe Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White-winged Black TitWhite-winged Black TitThe White-winged Black Tit Parus leucomelas, also known as the White-winged Tit, is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is found in central Africa, from Angola in the west to Ethiopia in the east....
Melaniparus leucomelas - White-shouldered Black Tit Melaniparus guineensis
- White-backed Black Tit Melaniparus leuconotus (E)
- Somali TitSomali TitThe Somali Tit , also known as the Acacia Tit, is a species of bird in the Paridae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Melaniparus thruppi
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CerthiidaeTreecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Spotted CreeperSpotted CreeperThe Spotted Creeper is a small passerine bird, which is the only member of the subfamily Salpornithinae of the treecreeper family Certhiidae. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa and northern India in open deciduous forest and mango groves...
Salpornis spilonotus
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: RemizidaeThe penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Sennar Penduline-TitSennar Penduline-titThe Sennar Penduline-tit is a species of bird in the Remizidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan....
Anthoscopus punctifrons - Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus musculus
Sunbirds and Spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes. Family: NectariniidaeThe sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Western Violet-backed SunbirdWestern Violet-backed SunbirdThe Western Violet-backed Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is the most widely ranging species in the violet-backed sunbird superspecies, ranging throughout a large part of tropical mainland sub-Saharan Africa not inhabited by other members of the superspecies...
Anthreptes longuemarei - Kenya Violet-backed SunbirdKenya Violet-backed SunbirdThe Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird , also known as the Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird, is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family....
Anthreptes orientalis - Collared SunbirdCollared SunbirdThe Collared Sunbird, Hedydipna collaris , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Collared Sunbird is in fact mainly insectivorous.Sunbird flight is fast and...
Hedydipna collaris - Pygmy SunbirdPygmy SunbirdThe Pygmy Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra...
Hedydipna platura - Nile Valley SunbirdNile Valley SunbirdThe Nile Valley Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen....
Hedydipna metallica - Eastern Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
- Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura
- Amethyst SunbirdAmethyst SunbirdThe Amethyst Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Chalcomitra amethystina - Scarlet-chested SunbirdScarlet-chested SunbirdThe Scarlet-chested Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Chalcomitra senegalensis - Hunter's SunbirdHunter's SunbirdHunter's Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Chalcomitra hunteri - Tacazze SunbirdTacazze SunbirdThe Tacazze Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Nectarinia tacazze - Bronze SunbirdBronze SunbirdThe Bronze Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Nectarinia kilimensis - Malachite SunbirdMalachite SunbirdThe Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa is a small nectivorous bird found in the southern part of the Southern African region.- Taxonomy :...
Nectarinia famosa - Olive-bellied SunbirdOlive-bellied SunbirdThe Olive-bellied Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Cinnyris chloropygius - Beautiful SunbirdBeautiful SunbirdThe Beautiful Sunbird, Cinnyris pulchella , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings...
Cinnyris pulchellus - Mariqua SunbirdMariqua SunbirdThe Mariqua Sunbird or Marico Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife...
Cinnyris mariquensis - Red-chested SunbirdRed-chested SunbirdThe Red-chested Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Cinnyris erythrocerca - Black-bellied SunbirdBlack-bellied SunbirdThe Black-bellied Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. At an average weight of around 5 grams, this is the smallest known species of sunbird....
Cinnyris nectarinioides - Purple-banded SunbirdPurple-banded SunbirdThe Purple-banded Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family....
Cinnyris bifasciatus - Tsavo SunbirdTsavo SunbirdThe Tsavo Sunbird, Nectarinia tsavoensis, is a small passerine bird of Kenya and Tanzania. It is sometimes lumped with the Purple-banded Sunbird.-Range and habitat:...
Cinnyris tsavoensis - Shining SunbirdShining SunbirdThe Shining Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen.-References:...
Cinnyris habessinicus - Variable SunbirdVariable SunbirdThe Variable Sunbird, Cinnyris venustus , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings...
Cinnyris venustus - Copper SunbirdCopper SunbirdThe Copper Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Cinnyris cupreus
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ZosteropidaeThe white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- African Yellow White-eyeAfrican Yellow White-eyeThe African Yellow White-eye is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family.-Taxonomy:The taxa stenocricotus from Central Africa and kirki from the Comoros, by most authorities considered subspecies of the African Yellow White-eye, are occasionally considered separate species, the Cameroon Green...
Zosterops senegalensis - Broad-ringed White-eye Zosterops poliogastrus
- White-breasted White-eyeWhite-breasted White-eyeThe Abyssinian White-eye or White-breasted White-eye is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Zosterops in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. It is native to north-east Africa and southern Arabia....
Zosterops abyssinicus
Old World orioles
Order: Passeriformes. Family: OriolidaeThe Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
- African Golden OrioleAfrican Golden OrioleThe African Golden Oriole is a member of the oriole family of passerine birds which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara....
Oriolus auratus - Dark-headed OrioleDark-headed OrioleThe Ethiopian, Dark-headed or Forest Oriole is a species of bird in the Oriolidae family.It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:...
Oriolus monacha - African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: LaniidaeShrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Red-backed ShrikeRed-backed ShrikeThe Red-backed Shrike is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family Laniidae.English common names include 'Wariangle' and 'worrier'.-Description:...
Lanius collurio - Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus
- Southern Grey ShrikeSouthern Grey ShrikeThe Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis, is a member of the shrike family.It is closely related to the Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor, with which it used to be considered conspecific; where they co-occur, they do not interbreed and are separated by choice of habitat.The race L. m....
Lanius meridionalis - Lesser Grey ShrikeLesser Grey ShrikeThe Lesser Grey Shrike is a member of the shrike family Laniidae.It is similar in appearance to the Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor and the Southern Grey Shrike L. meridionalis...
Lanius minor - Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
- Taita FiscalTaita FiscalThe Taita Fiscal, Lanius dorsalis, is a member of the shrike family found in east Africa, from southeastern Sudan and southern Ethiopia to northeastern Tanzania. Its habitat is dry open thornbush and acacia and other dry open woodland.-Description:...
Lanius dorsalis - Somali FiscalSomali FiscalThe Somali Fiscal is a species of bird in the Laniidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Lanius somalicus - Common FiscalCommon FiscalThe Common Fiscal is a member of the shrike family found through most of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also sometimes named Fiscal Shrike, as well as Jackie Hangman or Butcher Bird due to its habit of impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store the food for later consumption. It is sometimes split...
Lanius collaris - Masked ShrikeMasked ShrikeThe Masked Shrike, Lanius nubicus, is a member of the shrike family Laniidae. It breeds in southeastern Europe and the eastern end of the Mediterranean, with a separate population in western Iran. It is a common species in Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Syria...
Lanius nubicus - Woodchat ShrikeWoodchat ShrikeThe Woodchat Shrike is a member of the shrike family Laniidae.The Woodchat breeds in southern Europe, the Middle East and northwest Africa, and winters in tropical Africa. It breeds in open cultivated country, preferably with orchard trees and some bare or sandy ground.This migratory medium-sized...
Lanius senator - White-rumped ShrikeNorthern White-crowned ShrikeThe Northern White-crowned Shrike or White-rumped Shrike, Eurocephalus rueppelli, is a shrike found in dry thornbush, semi-desert, and open acacia woodland in east Africa from southeastern Sudan and southern Ethiopia to Tanzania...
Eurocephalus rueppelli
Bushshrikes and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MalaconotidaeBushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- BrubruBrubruThe Brubru is a member of the bushshrike family found in much of sub-Saharan Africa apart from the western rainforests and southern South Africa. It is the only member of the genus Nilaus.-Distribution and habitat:...
Nilaus afer - Northern PuffbackNorthern PuffbackThe Northern Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Dryoscopus gambensis - Pringle's PuffbackPringle's PuffbackThe Pringle's Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:...
Dryoscopus pringlii - Marsh TchagraMarsh TchagraThe Marsh Tchagra is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra...
Tchagra minuta - Black-crowned TchagraBlack-crowned TchagraThe Black-crowned Tchagra is a bushshrike. This family of passerine birds is closely related to the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, and was once included in that group....
Tchagra senegala - Three-streaked TchagraThree-streaked TchagraThe Three-streaked Tchagra is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland....
Tchagra jamesi - Red-naped Bushshrike Laniarius ruficeps
- Tropical BoubouTropical BoubouThe Tropical Boubou or Bell Shrike is a medium-sized passerine bird of sub-Saharan Africa. This very diverse "species" with its numerous subspecies and morphs has since long posed a taxonomic problem, and recent research suggests it is a cryptic species complex that ought to be split into several...
Laniarius aethiopicus - Black-headed GonolekBlack-headed GonolekThe black-headed gonolek is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or...
Laniarius erythrogaster - Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris
- Rosy-patched BushshrikeRosy-patched BushshrikeThe Rosy-patched Bushshrike is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Rhodophoneus.It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania....
Rhodophoneus cruentus - Sulphur-breasted BushshrikeSulphur-breasted BushshrikeThe Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike or Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family....
Telophorus sulfureopectus - Gray-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti
Helmetshrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PrionopidaeThe helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- White HelmetshrikeWhite HelmetshrikeThe White-crested Helmetshrike , also known as the White Helmetshrike, is a species of passerine bird in the helmetshrike family Prionopidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.-Distribution and habitat:...
Prionops plumatus
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes. Family: DicruridaeThe drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Ethiopia.
- Fork-tailed DrongoFork-tailed DrongoThe Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis, also called the Common Drongo, African Drongo or Savanna Drongo, is a drongo, a type of small passerine bird of the Old World tropics. The species was earlier considered to cover Asia, but the Asian species is now called the Black Drongo...
Dicrurus adsimilis
Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CorvidaeCorvidae
Corvidae is a cosmopolitan family of oscine passerine birds that contains the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs and nutcrackers. The common English names used are corvids or the crow family , and there are over 120 species...
The Corvidae family includes crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
s, raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
s, jay
Jay
The jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy, passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae. The names jay and magpie are somewhat interchangeable, and the evolutionary relationships are rather complex...
s, chough
Chough
The Red-billed Chough or Chough , Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, is a bird in the crow family; it is one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax...
s, magpie
Magpie
Magpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia...
s, treepie
Treepie
The treepies comprise four closely related genera of long-tailed passerine birds in the family Corvidae...
s, nutcracker
Nutcracker (bird)
The nutcrackers are a genus of two species of passerine bird, in the family Corvidae, related to the jays and crows. One, the Spotted Nutcracker , occurs in Europe and Asia, the other, Clark's Nutcracker , in western North America.The most important food resources for both these species are the...
s, and ground jay
Ground jay
The ground jays or ground choughs belong to a distinct group of the passerine order of birds in the genus Podoces of the crow family Corvidae...
s. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Stresemann's Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni (E)
- Red-billed ChoughRed-billed ChoughThe Red-billed Chough or Chough , Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, is a bird in the crow family; it is one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax...
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax - PiapiacPiapiacThe Piapiac is a member of the crow family, and is the only member of the genus Ptilostomus. According to recent findings, it is most closely related to the Central Asian ground jays .-Description:...
Ptilostomus afer - House CrowHouse Crowthumb|300px|Bangalore, IndiaThe House Crow , also known as the Colombo Crow is a common bird of the Crow family that is of Asian origin but now found in many parts of the world, where they arrived assisted by shipping. It is between the Jackdaw and the Carrion Crow in size but is relatively...
Corvus splendens - Cape CrowCape CrowThe Cape Crow or Black Crow is slightly larger than the Carrion Crow and is completely black with a slight gloss of purple in the feathers. It has proportionately longer legs, wings and tail too and has a much longer, slimmer bill that seems to be designed for probing into the ground for...
Corvus capensis - Pied CrowPied CrowThe Pied Crow is a widely distributed African bird species in the crow genus.Structurally, the Pied Crow is better thought of as a small crow-sized Raven, especially as it can hybridise with the Somali Crow where their ranges meet in the Horn of Africa...
Corvus albus - Brown-necked RavenBrown-necked RavenThe Brown-necked Raven is a larger bird than the Carrion Crow though not as large as the Common Raven. It has similar proportions to the common raven but the bill is not so large or deep and the wings tend to be a little more pointed in profile...
Corvus ruficollis - Somali CrowSomali CrowThe Somali Crow or Dwarf Raven, Corvus edithae is approximately the size of the Carrion Crow, Corvus corone but with longer bill and somewhat more brownish cast to the feathers especially when worn....
Corvus edithae - Fan-tailed RavenFan-tailed RavenThe Fan-tailed Raven is a passerine bird of the crow family native to Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Like the Chihuahuan Raven it is one of the smaller species , in fact it is about the same size as a Carrion Crow but with a much thicker bill, shorter tail and much larger...
Corvus rhipidurus - Thick-billed RavenThick-billed RavenThe Thick-billed Raven , a Corvid from the Horn of Africa, shares with the Common Raven the distinction of being the largest in the Corvid family, and indeed the largest of the bird order Passeriformes . They measure 60-64 cm in length and weigh 1.5 kg...
Corvus crassirostris
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SturnidaeStarlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 25 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- European StarlingEuropean StarlingThe Common Starling , also known as the European Starling or just Starling, is a passerine bird in the family Sturnidae.This species of starling is native to most of temperate Europe and western Asia...
Sturnus vulgaris - Wattled StarlingWattled StarlingThe Wattled Starling is a nomadic resident in eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of grassland, open woodland and cultivation....
Creatophora cinerea - Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
- Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus
- Splendid Glossy Starling Lamprotornis splendidus
- Rueppell's Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpuropterus
- Long-tailed Glossy StarlingLong-tailed Glossy StarlingThe Long-tailed Glossy Starling, Lamprotornis caudatus, is a member of the starling family of birds. It is a resident breeder in tropical Africa from Senegal east to Sudan....
Lamprotornis caudatus - Golden-breasted StarlingGolden-breasted StarlingThe Golden-breasted Starling, Cosmopsarus regius also known as Royal Starling is a medium-sized, up to 35cm long, passerine in the starling family. The adult has a metallic green head and upperback, bright golden yellow breast and belly, dark bill and legs, white iris and metallic violet blue on...
Lamprotornis regius - Superb StarlingSuperb StarlingThe Superb Starling is a member of the starling family of birds. It can commonly be found in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Used to be known as Spreo superbus .-Description:...
Lamprotornis superbus - Shelley's StarlingShelley's StarlingThe Shelley's Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Lamprotornis shelleyi - Chestnut-bellied StarlingChestnut-bellied StarlingThe Chestnut-bellied Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, and Togo.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. ....
Lamprotornis pulcher - Violet-backed StarlingViolet-backed StarlingThe Violet-backed Starling , also known as the Plum-coloured Starling or Amethyst Starling, is a relatively small species of starling in the Sturnidae family. This strongly sexually dimorphic species is found widely in woodland of mainland sub-Saharan Africa.-References:* BirdLife International 2004....
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster - African Pied StarlingAfrican Pied StarlingThe African Pied Starling, Lamprotornis bicolor, is a bird endemic to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. It is common in most of its range, but largely absent from the arid northwest and the eastern lowlands of South Africa...
Spreo bicolor - Fischer's StarlingFischer's StarlingThe Fischer's Starling, Spreo fischeri, is a bird which is an uncommon resident breeder from southern Ethiopia and Somalia to eastern Kenya and Tanzania...
Spreo fischeri - White-crowned StarlingWhite-crowned StarlingThe White-crowned Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Spreo albicapillus - Red-winged StarlingRed-winged StarlingThe Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio, is a bird of the starling family Sturnidae native to eastern Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape in South Africa. It is known in Afrikaans as the Rooivlerkspreeu.-Taxonomy:...
Onychognathus morio - Slender-billed StarlingSlender-billed StarlingThe Slender-billed Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Onychognathus tenuirostris - Somali StarlingSomali StarlingThe Somali Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Onychognathus blythii - Bristle-crowned StarlingBristle-crowned StarlingThe Bristle-crowned Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Onychognathus salvadorii - White-billed StarlingWhite-billed StarlingThe White-billed Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Onychognathus albirostris - Stuhlmann's StarlingStuhlmann's StarlingThe Stuhlmann's Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Poeoptera stuhlmanni - Sharpe's StarlingSharpe's StarlingSharpe's Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Pholia sharpii - Magpie StarlingMagpie StarlingThe Magpie Starling, Speculipastor bicolor is a member of the starling family from eastern Africa.-Description:The Magpie Starling is about 16–19 cm in length. The white patches at base of primaries are obvious in flight. The male is a shiny blue-black on upperparts, head and upper breast,...
Speculipastor bicolor - Red-billed OxpeckerRed-billed OxpeckerThe Red-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus, is a passerine bird in the starling and myna family Sturndidae; some ornithologists regard the oxpeckers to be in a family by themselves, the Buphagidae. It is native to the savannah of sub-Saharan Africa, from the Central African Republic east to...
Buphagus erythrorhynchus - Yellow-billed OxpeckerYellow-billed OxpeckerThe Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus, is a passerine bird in the starling and myna family Sturnidae; some ornithologists regard the Oxpeckers to be a separate family, the Buphagidae . It is native to the savannah of sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Sudan...
Buphagus africanus
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PloceidaeThe weavers are small passerine birds related to the finch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
es. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 39 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- White-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis albirostris
- Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger
- White-headed Buffalo Weaver Dinemellia dinemelli
- Speckle-fronted WeaverSpeckle-fronted WeaverThe Speckle-fronted Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural...
Sporopipes frontalis - White-browed Sparrow-WeaverWhite-browed Sparrow-weaverThe White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized weaver found throughout central and northcentral southern Africa. It is found in...
Plocepasser mahali - Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-WeaverChestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaverThe Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver is a species of bird in the Passeridae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria,...
Plocepasser superciliosus - Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-WeaverDonaldson-Smith's Sparrow-weaverThe Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Plocepasser donaldsoni - Gray-headed Social-Weaver Pseudonigrita arnaudi
- Black-capped Social-WeaverBlack-capped Social-weaverThe Black-capped Social Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
Pseudonigrita cabanisi - Baglafecht WeaverBaglafecht WeaverThe Baglafecht Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical...
Ploceus baglafecht - Little WeaverLittle WeaverThe Little Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan,...
Ploceus luteolus - Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius
- Spectacled WeaverSpectacled WeaverThe Spectacled Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found widely in woodland, forest edge and gardens of East, Middle and Southern Africa, but is absent from the most arid regions and dense, primary rainforest...
Ploceus ocularis - Black-necked WeaverBlack-necked WeaverThe Black-necked Weaver is a resident breeding bird species in much of tropical Africa from Senegal and northern Angola, South Sudan and Tanzania.-Distribution and biology:This weaver occurs in forests, especially in wet habitats...
Ploceus nigricollis - Golden Palm WeaverGolden Palm WeaverThe Golden Palm Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Ploceus bojeri - Rueppell's WeaverRueppell's WeaverThe Rüppell's Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.-References:...
Ploceus galbula - Northern Masked Weaver Ploceus taeniopterus
- Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus
- Village WeaverVillage WeaverThe Village Weaver , also known as the Spotted-backed Weaver or Black-headed Weaver , is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa...
Ploceus cucullatus - Speke's WeaverSpeke's WeaverSpeke's Weaver is a familiar East African songbird.The eyes are pale and the bill is on the large side for a weaver. Unlike many weavers, it has the same plumage all year. The adult male is yellow with black throat , face, and bill, and variable black mottling on the back...
Ploceus spekei - Black-headed WeaverBlack-headed WeaverThe Black-headed Weaver , also known as the Yellow-backed Weaver, is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in savanna and similar habitats, typically near water, in West, Central and East Africa. It has also been introduced to Spain and Portugal.-References:* BirdLife International...
Ploceus melanocephalus - Salvadori's WeaverSalvadori's WeaverThe Juba Weaver , also known as Salvadori's Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Ploceus dichrocephalus - Chestnut WeaverChestnut WeaverThe Chestnut Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Ploceus rubiginosus - Compact WeaverCompact WeaverThe Compact Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria,...
Pachyphantes superciliosus - Red-headed WeaverRed-headed WeaverThe Red-headed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Anaplectes....
Anaplectes rubriceps - Cardinal QueleaCardinal QueleaThe Cardinal Quelea is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-Origin:...
Quelea cardinalis - Red-headed QueleaRed-headed QueleaThe Red-headed Quelea is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Quelea erythrops - Red-billed QueleaRed-billed QueleaThe Red-billed Quelea is the world's most abundant wild bird species, with an estimated adult breeding population of 1.5 billion pairs. Some estimates of the overall population have been as large as 10 billion...
Quelea quelea - Yellow-crowned BishopYellow-crowned BishopThe Yellow-crowned Bishop is a species of passerine bird in the family Ploceidae native to Africa south of the Sahara. It is highly sexually dimorphic in its breeding season, during which the male adopts a distinctive yellow and black plumage, contrasting with the female's predominantly brown...
Euplectes afer - Black BishopBlack BishopThe Black Bishop is a species of passerine bird in the Ploceidae family native to Africa south of the Sahara. Three subspecies are recognised.- Taxonomy :...
Euplectes gierowii - Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
- Orange Bishop Euplectes franciscanus
- Red Bishop Euplectes orix
- Yellow BishopYellow BishopThe Yellow Bishop or Yellow-rumped Widow is a resident breeding bird species in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.This common weaver...
Euplectes capensis - Fan-tailed WidowbirdFan-tailed WidowbirdThe Fan-tailed Widowbird is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda,...
Euplectes axillaris - Yellow-shouldered WidowbirdYellow-shouldered WidowbirdThe Yellow-mantled Widowbird is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is the type species of the Euplectes genus, originally named from the city of Ouidah in Benin. Nowadays the name Whydah The Yellow-mantled Widowbird (Euplectes macroura) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It...
Euplectes macrourus - White-winged WidowbirdWhite-winged WidowbirdThe White-winged Widowbird is a species of passerine bird in the family Ploceidae native to Africa south of the Sahara. It is highly sexually dimorphic in its breeding season, during which the male's yellow plumage turns dark and he gains more white feathers, contrasting with the female's...
Euplectes albonotatus - Red-collared WidowbirdRed-collared WidowbirdThe Red-collared Widowbird is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Euplectes ardens - Grosbeak WeaverGrosbeak WeaverThe Thick-billed Weaver or Thick-billed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Amblyospiza....
Amblyospiza albifrons
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: EstrildidaeThe estrildid finch
Estrildid finch
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They can be classified as the family Estrildidae , or as a sub-group within the family Passeridae, which also includes the true sparrows....
es are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Orange-winged PytiliaOrange-winged PytiliaThe Orange-winged Pytilia is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,300,000 km²....
Pytilia afra - Red-winged PytiliaRed-winged PytiliaThe Red-winged Pytilia is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 370,000 km²....
Pytilia phoenicoptera - Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata (E)
- Green-winged PytiliaGreen-winged PytiliaThe Green-winged Pytilia is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of .It is found in most of Africa south of the Sahara...
Pytilia melba - Green-backed TwinspotGreen-backed TwinspotThe Green-backed Twinspot is an estrildid finch found in sub-saharan Africa. This species is evaluated as Least Concern.-Subspecies:The Green-backed Twinspot has four sub-species:* Mandingoa nitidula chubbi...
Mandingoa nitidula - Abyssinian Crimson-wingAbyssinian Crimson-wingThe Abyssinian Crimson-wing is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 190,000 km²....
Cryptospiza salvadorii - Bar-breasted FirefinchBar-breasted FirefinchThe Bar-breasted Firefinch is a common species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,900,000 km²....
Lagonosticta rufopicta - Red-billed FirefinchRed-billed FirefinchThe Red-billed Firefinch or Senegal Firefinch is a very small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in almost all parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km²...
Lagonosticta senegala - African FirefinchAfrican FirefinchThe African Firefinch , also called the Blue-billed Firefinch due to the color of its bill, is a common species of estrildid finch found in almost all parts of Africa...
Lagonosticta rubricata - Jameson's FirefinchJameson's FirefinchJameson's Firefinch is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,600,000 km²....
Lagonosticta rhodopareia - Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata
- Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
- Blue-capped Cordonbleu Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
- Purple GrenadierPurple GrenadierThe Purple Grenadier is a common species of estrildid finch found in eastern Africa.-Description:The length averages 13.3 cm . All ages and sexes have a black tail, and adults have a red bill. The male has a cinnamon-colored head and neck with a blue patch surrounding the eye...
Uraeginthus ianthinogaster - Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda quartinia
- Fawn-breasted WaxbillFawn-breasted WaxbillThe Fawn-breasted Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,800,000 km². Estrilda paludicola, E. ochrogaster and E. poliopareia have been lumped into E...
Estrilda paludicola - Crimson-rumped WaxbillCrimson-rumped WaxbillThe Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga also known as Rosy-rumped Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in north-eastern Africa...
Estrilda rhodopyga - Black-rumped WaxbillBlack-rumped WaxbillThe Black-rumped Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,000,000 km²....
Estrilda troglodytes - Common WaxbillCommon WaxbillThe Common Waxbill , also known as the St Helena Waxbill, is a small passerine bird belonging to the estrildid finch family. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa but has been introduced to many other regions of the world and now has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km²...
Estrilda astrild - Black-cheeked WaxbillBlack-cheeked WaxbillThe Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos is a common species of estrildid finch found in southern Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,300,000 km²....
Estrilda erythronotos - Red-rumped WaxbillRed-rumped WaxbillThe Red-rumped Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in east Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 400,000 km²....
Estrilda charmosyna - Zebra WaxbillZebra WaxbillThe Zebra Waxbill or Orange-breasted Waxbill is a small sparrow-like bird with a reddish iris, orange breast, red bill and dark olive-green plumage. The male has a red rump, dark bars on the whitish flank and a scarlet eyebrow stripe...
Sporaeginthus subflavus - African QuailfinchAfrican QuailfinchThe Black-faced Quail-Finch , also known as the African Quail-Finch, is a common species of estrildid finch found in almost all parts of Africa except at far north of Africa...
Ortygospiza fuscocrissa - African SilverbillAfrican SilverbillThe African Silverbill is a small passerine bird formerly considered conspecific with the Asian species Indian Silverbill, . This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in dry savanna habitat, south of the Sahara Desert...
Euodice cantans - Gray-headed Silverbill Odontospiza griseicapilla
- Bronze MannikinBronze MannikinThe Bronze Mannikin or Bronze Munia Lonchura cucullata is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is an abundant resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert of dry savanna habitats...
Spermestes cucullatus - Black-and-white MannikinBlack-and-white MannikinThe Black-and-white Mannikin or Black-and-white Munia Lonchura bicolor is a species of estrildid finch found in southern and central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 4,200,000 km²....
Spermestes bicolor - Magpie MannikinMagpie MannikinThe Magpie Mannikin or Magpie Munia Lonchura fringilloides is a species of estrildid finch found in southern and central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,400,000 km²....
Spermestes fringilloides - Cut-throatCut-throat FinchThe Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa and originated in Africa, also known as the Bearded Finch, the Ribbon Finch, the Cut Throat, or the Weaver Finch....
Amadina fasciata
Indigobirds
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ViduidaeThe indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finch species. There are 20 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Village IndigobirdVillage IndigobirdThe Village Indigobird, Vidua chalybeata, is a small songbird. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert....
Vidua chalybeata - Baka IndigobirdBaka IndigobirdThe Barka Indigobird is a species of bird in the Viduidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, and Sudan. It is also known as the Baka Indigobird but the spelling "barka" is more correct; the word is a greeting in the Hausa language.-References:* BirdLife...
Vidua larvaticola - Pale-winged IndigobirdPale-winged IndigobirdWilson's Indigobird or Pale-winged Indigobird is a species of bird in the Viduidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, and Togo.-References:*...
Vidua wilsoni - Steel-blue WhydahSteel-blue WhydahThe Steel-blue Whydah is a species of bird in the Viduidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:...
Vidua hypocherina - Straw-tailed WhydahStraw-tailed WhydahThe Straw-tailed Whydah is a species of bird in the Viduidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:...
Vidua fischeri - Pin-tailed WhydahPin-tailed WhydahThe Pin-tailed Whydah, Vidua macroura, is a small songbird. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.This whydah is found in many open habitats including open woodland, scrub and cultivation....
Vidua macroura - Eastern Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea
- Northern Paradise-WhydahNorthern Paradise-WhydahThe Sahel Paradise Whydah or Northern Paradise Whydah, Vidua orientalis, is a small songbird. It is a resident breeding bird in west Africa....
Vidua orientalis - Cuckoo Finch Anomalospiza imberbis
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: EmberizidaeEmberizidae
The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill.In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the sparrows, the...
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 8 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Cinereous BuntingCinereous BuntingThe Cinereous Bunting, Emberiza cineracea, is a bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a passerine family now separated by most modern authors from the finches Fringillidae. This species was discovered by Hugh Edwin Strickland.- Range :...
Emberiza cineracea - Ortolan BuntingOrtolan BuntingThe Ortolan, or Ortolan Bunting, Emberiza hortulana, is a bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a passerine family now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae...
Emberiza hortulana - Cretzschmar's BuntingCretzschmar's BuntingThe Cretzschmar's Bunting, Emberiza caesia, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a group now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae....
Emberiza caesia - House BuntingHouse BuntingThe House Bunting, Emberiza sahari, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae.It is a resident breeder of dry country from northwestern Africa from Morocco south to Mali and east to Chad. The House Bunting breeds around human habitation, laying 2–4 eggs in a nest in a hole in a wall or...
Emberiza striolata - Cinnamon-breasted BuntingCinnamon-breasted BuntingThe Cinnamon-breasted Bunting is a species of bird in the Emberizidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon,...
Emberiza tahapisi - Golden-breasted BuntingGolden-breasted BuntingThe Golden-breasted Bunting, Emberiza flaviventris, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It occurs in dry open woodlands in Africa south of the Sahara, but is absent from the equatorial forest belt.There are three subspecies:...
Emberiza flaviventris - Somali Bunting Emberiza poliopleura
- Brown-rumped BuntingBrown-rumped BuntingThe Brown-rumped Bunting is a species of bird in the Emberizidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal,...
Emberiza affinis
Siskins, crossbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: FringillidaeFinch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
es are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Ankober SerinAnkober SerinThe Ankober Serin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. Recent studies places this bird in Carduelis, another genus of finches...
Carduelis ankoberensis (E) - Cape CanaryCape CanaryThe Cape Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in eastern and southern Africa and has been introduced to Mauritius and Réunion....
Serinus canicollis - Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex
- Abyssinian SiskinAbyssinian SiskinThe Ethiopian Siskin or Abyssinian Siskin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found only in Ethiopia usually at altitudes above . Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland....
Serinus nigriceps (E) - African CitrilAfrican CitrilThe African Citril is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found from Sudan and Eritrea to Zambia and Mozambique. As defined here, it includes the greyish-headed subspecies brittoni and hypostictus, sometimes separated as the Southern Citril, Serinus hypostictus.-References:*...
Serinus citrinelloides - Southern Citril Serinus hyposticutus
- White-rumped SeedeaterWhite-rumped SeedeaterThe White-Rumped Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and the United...
Serinus leucopygius - Yellow-throated Serin Serinus flavigula (E)
- Salvadori's SerinSalvadori's SerinSalvadori's Seedeater or Salvadori's Serin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found only in Ethiopia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* BirdLife...
Serinus xantholaemus (E) - Black-throated CanaryBlack-throated CanaryThe Yellow-rumped Seedeater , also known as the Black-throated Canary, is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.-Distribution:...
Serinus atrogularis - Reichenow's Seedeater Serinus reichenowi
- Yellow-rumped SerinYellow-rumped SerinThe Yellow-rumped Serin or Abyssinian Yellow-rumped Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland....
Serinus xanthopygius - Yellow-fronted CanaryYellow-fronted CanaryThe Yellow-fronted Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is known elsewhere and in aviculture as the Green Singing Finch....
Serinus mozambicus - Northern Grosbeak-Canary Serinus donaldsoni
- White-bellied CanaryWhite-bellied CanaryThe White-Bellied Canary is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:...
Serinus dorsostriatus - Reichard's SeedeaterReichard's SeedeaterThe Reichard's Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Serinus reichardi - Streaky-headed SeedeaterStreaky-headed SeedeaterThe Streaky-headed Seedeater or Streaky-headed Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a common resident breeder in suitable habitat in much of Africa south of the Sahara....
Serinus gularis - Brown-rumped SeedeaterBrown-rumped SeedeaterThe Brown-rumped Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in the highlands of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.It is widespread in towns, villages gardens, plantations and upland heath....
Serinus tristriatus - Yemen SerinYemen SerinThe Yemen Serin is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
Serinus menachensis - Streaky SeedeaterStreaky SeedeaterThe Streaky Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Serinus striolatus
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PasseridaeSparrow
Sparrow
The sparrows are a family of small passerine birds, Passeridae. They are also known as true sparrows, or Old World sparrows, names also used for a genus of the family, Passer...
s are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Ethiopia.
- Somali SparrowSomali SparrowThe Somali Sparrow is a sparrow found in northern Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya....
Passer castanopterus - Shelley's Rufous Sparrow Passer shelleyi
- Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
- Swainson's SparrowSwainson's SparrowSwainson's Sparrow is a species of bird in the sparrow family Passeridae. It occurs in the highlands of Ethiopia and Somalia, and in some of Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Kenya. It is often considered a race of Grey-headed Sparrow, but it tends to be darker, especially on the head and...
Passer swainsonii - Parrot-billed SparrowParrot-billed SparrowThe Parrot-billed Sparrow is found in the arid lowlands of east central Africa. At and , it is largest of the sparrows of the family Passeridae. It is often considered a subspecies of the Grey-headed Sparrow.-External links:*...
Passer gongonensis - Sudan Golden-Sparrow Passer luteus
- Arabian Golden-Sparrow Passer euchlorus
- Chestnut SparrowChestnut SparrowThe Chestnut Sparrow is a species of passerine bird in the sparrow family Passeridae. It is the smallest member of the sparrow family, at about long. The breeding male has deep chestnut plumage and the female and juvenile are duller in appearance...
Passer eminibey - Yellow-spotted PetroniaYellow-spotted PetroniaThe Yellow-spotted Petronia is a species of bird in the sparrow family Passeridae. It is found in Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland....
Petronia pyrgita - Bush PetroniaBush PetroniaThe Bush Petronia is a species of bird in the Passeridae family. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Yemen...
Petronia dentata - Pale RockfinchPale RockfinchThe Pale Rockfinch or Pale Rock Sparrow is a small sparrow found in the Middle East and Central Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Carpospiza. Some authorities include it in the genus Petronia...
Carpospiza brachydactyla
External links
- Birds of Ethiopia Birdlist, multi-lingual website by country with standardized codes for abundance and seasonal presence.
- Birding Ethiopia List of Bird pictures including songs of Endemic Ethiopian Birds.