Ethiopia
27 November 1999 - 17 January 2000
Species lists - Passerines
287. African Broadbill Smithornis capensis albigularis
heard calling at Shiwa Ng'andu
288. * Singing Bush-Lark Mirafra cantillans marginata
several in Djibouti.
M. c. chadensis
several seen near Gambela.
289. White-tailed Bush-Lark Mirafra albicauda
on the northern edge of the Nechisar plains.
290. * Williams's Lark Mirafra williamsi
approx. 25 km north of Marsabit.
291. Red-winged Bush-Lark Mirafra hypermetra gallarum
frequent in the Rift Valley.
292. Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea omoensis
common around Fantalle Crater in Awash NP, probably seen elsewhere, but not identified.
293. Fawn-coloured Lark Mirafra africanoides intercedens
frequent in Awash NP.
294. * Sidamo Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis
at the "normal" site (see Richard Webb’s trip report) just after the turn-off from Negele to Melka Ghuba.
295. * Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes desertorum
Several along the road from Dikhil to Djibouti city.
296. * Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata bimaculata
one between Serdo and Djibouti.
297. * Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti assabensis
several small flocks between Serdo and Djibouti.
298. * Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla brachydactyla
on the main road to Djibouti city.
299. Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea erlangeri
[considered as a separate species C. erlangeri "Erlanger's Lark" by some authorities]
common in the highlands.
300. * Masked Lark Spizocorys personata yavelloensis
one, approx. 20 km north of Marsabit.
301. Crested Lark Galerida cristata altirostris
common in the south.
302. * Thekla Lark Galerida malabarica praetermissa
common in the higher elevation highlands.
G. m. huei
Bale Mountains.
303. Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis leucotis
common between the Yangudi-Rassa NP and Djibouti.
304. * Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps melanauchen
common throughout Djibouti.
305. Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera blanfordi
[considered as a separate species P. pristoptera with P. p. pristoptera "Blue Saw-wing" by some
authorities]
a small flock west of Metu .
P. p. oleaginea
[considered as a separate species P. oleaginea "Ethiopian Saw-wing" by some authorities]
two seen in near Jimma.
P. p. antinorii
[considered as a separate species P. antinorii "Brown Saw-wing" by some authorities]
a flock at the gravel pit, Wondo Genet.
306. White-headed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps albiceps
in dense woodland near Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
307. Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola schoensis
along the cliffs behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
308. Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga griseopyga
a single bird seen west of Metu.
309. Red-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa semirufa
common from central Kenya southwards.
310. Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica abyssinica
widespread & common.
311. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica rufula
identified on the road to the Simien mountains.
H. d. melanocrissa
identified near Addis Ababa.
H. d. emini
identified near Isiolo.
312. Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula fusciventris
widespread and common.
H. f. pusilla
identified on Jemmu escarpment.
313. * Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris
a pair at the top of the Jemmu escarpment.
314. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithi smithi
frequent in the Rift Valley.
315. * White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis
several close to Yavello on the road from Negele.
316. Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica aethiopica
one in Awash NP.
317. * Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida rothschildi
two on the Sululta plains.
318. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica rustica
widespread & common.
319. Common House Martin Delichon urbica urbica
widespread & frequent.
320. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flava
widespread & common.
M. f. thunbergi
common in the Abiata Shala NP.
M. f. feldegg
common in the Abiata –Shala NP.
321. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea cinerea
common in the Abiata-Shala NP.
322. Long-tailed Wagtail Motacilla clara torrentium
one near Wondo Genet.
323. * White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba
widespread and common.
324. African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp vidua
several in the western lowlands.
325. Richard's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae cinnamomeus
[considered, with all the other African sub-species, as a separate species A. cinnamomeus "African Pipit"
by some authorities]
common throughout the Rift Valley.
A. n. annae
near Serdo on the road to Djibouti.
A. n. lacuum
seen around Mt Kenya.
326. * Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris campestris
one near the rim of Fantalle Crater, Awash NP.
327. Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis hararensis
widespread & common.
328. Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys zenkeri
several south of Negele.
A. l. omoensis
several seen between Nekempte and Metu.
A. l. saphiroi
common around Dinsho.
329. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis trivialis
frequent in the Rift Valley.
330. * Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
widespread and common.
331. * Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis
several on the Bale Mountains, and one possible in the wet cultivated lands to the east of Lake Tana (Bahir Dar).
332. * Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike Campephaga phoenicea
a pair in the forest above Wondo Genet.
333. Black-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus schoanus
common in the western highlands.
P. b. somaliensis
identified in Djibouti.
P. b. spurius
identified near Negele.
P. b. dodsoni
[considered as a separate species P. dodsoni "Dodson's Bulbul" by some authorities]
one near the river at Melka Ghuba.
P. b. tricolor
at Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
334. * Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos africana
one in the bush behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
335. * Irania Irania gutturalis
one in the gardens of the hotel at Lake Langano.
336. Rüppell's Robin-Chat Cossypha semirufa semirufa
frequent in the Rift Valley and western highlands.
C. s. donaldsoni
several in the Harrena forest.
337. White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini heuglini
one, near Moyale.
338. Spotted Palm-Thrush Cichladusa guttata intercalans
common south of Yavello.
339. White-browed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys leucoptera
common in the Rift Valley.
340. * Rufous Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes syriacus
several seen on the edge of the Nechisar plains.
341. * Black Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas podobe podobe
several in bushed wadis on the main road to Djibouti city.
342. * Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides
a pair near the bridge of the Jemmu valley.
343. Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus
widespread & common.
P. p. samamisicus
in company with P. p. phoenicurus at the campsite in Dittilou, Djibouti.
344. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata promiscua
on road to Iringa, Tanzania.
S. t. albofasciata
common in the highlands.
S. t. armenica
common at Lalibela and Simien Mountains.
S. t. variegata
frequent in the south & and the Rift Valley.
345. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
one near Lake Langano.
346. * White-crowned Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga aegra
common on the black lava in Djibouti.
347. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe
widespread & frequent, identified in the Abiata-Shala NP.
O. o. libanotica
widespread & frequent, identified in the Abiata-Shala NP.
348. * Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka pleschanka
widespread & common, reaching as far south as northern Tanzania.
O. p. cypriaca
only identified at Sof Omar.
349. * Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca
several on the Jemmu escarpment, and on other escarpments
350. * Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens lugubris
[considered as a separate species O. lugubris with O. l. schalowi "Schalow's Wheatear" by some
authorities]
widespread & common.
O. l. schalowi
[considered as a separate species O. schalowi "Schalow's Wheatear" by some authorities]
one seen near Arusha.
351. * Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna chrysopygia
common from the eastern Rift Valley through to Djibouti.
352. * Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti deserti
one seen at the western end of the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti.
353. * Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae heuglini
frequent west of Metu.
O. b. frenata
common around the Gafersa reservoir, and towards the east.
354. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
widespread & common.
355. Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris falkensteini
on the edge of the Nechisar plains.
356. Brown-tailed Rock-Chat Cercomela scotocerca turkana
several seen on the eastern slopes of the Sof Omar valley.
357. * Black-tailed Rock-Chat Cercomela melanura aussae
several seen near Djibouti city.
358. Moorland Chat Cercomela sordida sordida
common above 3 000 metres.
359. Northern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops cryptoleuca
common around Mount Kenya.
360. * Rüppell's Black Chat Myrmecocichla melaena
common on the Jemmu escarpment, and also around Lalibela.
361. White-fronted Black Chat Myrmecocichla albifrons albifrons
common around Addis Ababa.
362. Arnott's Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti arnotti
seen near the track to Shiwa Ng'andu, Tanzania.
363. Mocking Chat Myrmecocichla cinnamomeiventris subrufipennis
several on the western escarpment near Metu.
M. c. albiscapulata
widespread in highlands.
364. * White-winged Cliff-Chat Myrmecocichla semirufa
common around Lalibela.
365. * Little Rock-Thrush Monticola rufocinereus rufocinereus
several at the top of the Jemmu escarpment.
366. * Mountain Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis
at the base of the cliffs at Lake Langano.
367. * Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius longirostris
one seen on the upper slopes of the escarpment at Jemmu.
368. * Abyssinian Ground-Thrush Zoothera piaggiae piaggiae
two in the forest above Wondo Genet.
369. Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa simensis
widespread and common in open grassland in the highlands.
370. Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus abyssinicus
[considered as a separate species T. abyssinicus "Mountain Olive Thrush" or "Mountain
Thrush" by some authorities]
widespread and common.
371. African Thrush Turdus pelios pelios
several in Gambela NP.
T. p. centralis
one behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
T. p. stormsi
seen in the grounds of the Forest Inn, Zambia.
372. * Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus
several around Negele.
373. * Song Thrush Turdus philomelos philomelos
one near the road to Gorgora from Gonder.
374. * Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus fuscus
several at Lake Heyk.
375. African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus cinnamomeus
common on the escarpments in the west, a beautifully coloured bird that was behaving almost like a chat, hopping all over the road looking for insects.
376. Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida pallida
common in the Rift Valley.
377. * Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida
common in the Rift Valley.
378. Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum
in the bush behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
379. Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans cantans
frequent in the highlands.
380. Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana fricki
near Lake Langano.
381. * Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa bodessa
2 seen at Fantalle Crater, Awash NP.
382. Ashy Cisticola Cisticola cinereolus schillingsi
several in the bush behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
383. Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus robustus
several in the bush behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
384. Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis inexpectatus
several at the base of the escarpment at Lake Langano.
385. * Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps scotopterus
1 seen in bush close to Gambela.
386. Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nanus
common on the road from Negele to Melka Ghuba.
387. Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus zedlitzi
in the Gorgora hotel grounds, Lake Tana.
388. Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes troglodytes
common on the escarpments around Nekempte and Metu.
389. Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapillus muelleri
at the border post between Zambia & Tanzania.
390. Fan-tailed Cisticola Cisticola juncidis uropygialis
several around Metu.
391. Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus lavendulae
several north of Mega.
392. * Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius eximius
between Lalibela and Gonder.
393. * Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens wambera
between Woldiya and Lalibela.
Many Cisticolas remained unidentified, and I only concentrated in the areas where I thought there was a possibility of finding a lifer.
394. Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava pallescens
frequent in the highlands.
P. s. subflava
near Gambela.
395. * Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis carlo
found in bush on the outskirts of Djibouti city.
396. Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
common in the Rift Valley.
397. Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida flavocincta
one north of Mega.
A. f. viridiceps
[considered as a separate species A. viridiceps "Brown-tailed Apalis" by some authorities]
several seen in the valley floor at Sof Omar.
398. Bleating Warbler Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata
identified in the Gorgora Hotel grounds, Lake Tana.
C. b. abessinica
widespread & common.
C. b. insulata
common in Gambela NP.
399. Grey Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
seen between Mega and Yavello.
400. Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis griseoflava
one in Awash NP.
401. * Yellow-vented Eremomela Eremomela flavicrissalis
one seen on the road north of Marsabit, Kenya.
402. Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela canescens abyssinica
one in Gambela NP.
403. Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura brachyura
frequent in north-east.
S. b. leucopsis
widespread & common.
404. * Somali Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta isabellina
one seen on the road from Negele to Melka Ghuba.
405. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus acredula
widespread & frequent.
P. t. yakutensis
widespread & frequent.
406. * Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita collybita
widespread & common, identified in Simien Mountains.
P. c. abietinus
widespread & common, identified in hotel grounds at Lake Awasa.
407. * Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens umbrovirens
several in the forest above Wondo Genet.
408. * Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis crassirostris
one out of range in the hotel grounds at Lake Awasa, and several in the bush of the wadi below Dittilou, Djibouti.
409. * Red Sea Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena somaliensis
several in the bush of the wadi below Dittilou, Djibouti.
410. * Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla
identified in the grounds of the Gorgora hotel, Lake Tana
S. a. dammholzi
widespread and common.
411. * Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca curruca
several in the hotel grounds at Lake Awasa.
412. * Menetries Warbler Sylvia mystacea mystacea
several in the lightly bushed areas of Awash NP and in the wadi below Dittilou, Djibouti.
413. * Brown Parisoma Parisoma lugens lugens
several in the hotel grounds, Wondo Genet.
P. l. griseiventris
seen near Robe.
414. * Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis chocolatinus chocolatinus
in the grounds of the Seven Olives hotel, Lalibela.
415. Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides lugubris
several near Gambela.
M. e. schistaceus
widespread & common.
416. African Grey Flycatcher Melaenornis microrhynchus neumanni
[considered as a separate species M. microrhynchus including M. m. neumanni "Large Grey Flycatcher"
by some authorities]
frequent in south.
M. m. pumilus
[considered as a separate species M. pumilus "Little Grey Flycatcher" by some authorities]
at Fantalle Crater, Awash NP.
417. Silverbird Empidornis semipartitus
frequent in the highlands.
418. African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta minima
two at Sanford English School, Addis Ababa.
419. Böhm's Flycatcher Muscicapa boehmi
common on the track to Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
420. African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis ferreti
common, with several having partial rufous replacement with white, and one with total replacement.
T. v. plumbeiceps
at Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
421. Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata mentalis
at Shiwa Ng'andu campsite, Zambia.
422. Chinspot Batis Batis molitor puella
on the road to Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
423. * Grey-headed Batis Batis orientalis bella
in the bush behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
B. o. chadensis
several in Gambela NP.
424. * Black-headed Batis Batis minor erlangeri
frequent in Awash NP.
425. Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo
on the road from Negele to Yavello.
426. Ethiopian Hill-Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinicus abyssinicus
feeding in the open in the forest above Wondo Genet.
427. * Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus cinerea
two flocks near Gambela.
428. * Scaly Babbler Turdoides squamulatus jubaensis
one seen between the River Genale and Negele.
429. White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygius leucopygia
[considered as a separate from the southern African races grouped under T. hartlaubi "Hartlaub's Babbler"
by some authorities]
common in the Simien Mountains, totally white head caused some confusion.
T. l. limbata
several seen near Lake Heyk and Lalibela.
T. l. smithi
on the road from Serdo to Djibouti.
T. l. omoensis
several flocks in Nechisar NP.
T. l. clarkei
several flocks near Gambela.
T. l. lacuum
one group between Nechisar NP & Shashemene.
430. * Fulvous Chatterer Argya fulvus acaciae
seen in Awash NP .
431. Rufous Chatterer Argya rubiginosus heuglini
widespread & common.
432. * Ethiopian Catbird Parophasma galinieri
common on the Simien mountains, seldom seen elsewhere in the highlands.
433. Northern Grey Tit Parus thruppi
common at Sof Omar.
434. Miombo Grey Tit Parus griseiventris
common on the track to Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
435. White-winged Black Tit Parus leucomelas leucomelas
3 at Lake Abiata-Shala NP.
436. * White-backed Black Tit Parus leuconotus
common on the road from Bale Mountains south towards Negele.
437. Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit Anthoscopus musculus musculus
in the bush behind the hotel at Lake Langano.
438. Amethyst Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina kirkii
on the track to Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
439. Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis cruentata
widespread & frequent.
440. Variable Sunbird Nectarinia venustus albiventris
widespread, but common in the grounds of the Gorgora Hotel, Lake Tana (the name of "Yellow-bellied Sunbird" inappropriate to this race, as it is white-bellied).
N. v. fazoqlensis
[considered as a separate species N. fazoqlensis "Northern Yellow-bellied Sunbird" by some authorities]
widespread, but common at Wondo Genet.
441. Miombo Double-collared Sunbird Nectarinia manoensis
along the track to Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
442. Smaller Black-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia nectarinioides erlangeri
one seen by the river near Melka Ghuba.
443. Shining Sunbird Nectarinia habessinica habessinicus
common on road to Fantalle Crater, Awash NP.
444. Copper Sunbird Nectarinia cuprea cuprea
one, near Metu.
445. Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze
widespread and common.
446. Beautiful Sunbird Nectarinia pulchella lucidipectus
several on the track up Fantalle Crater, Awash NP.
447. Yellow-tufted Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa cupreonitens
several seen from the main road near Mount Kenya.
448. * White-breasted White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus abyssinicus
widespread & common.
449. Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis jubaensis
several at Sof Omar.
450. African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus auratus
one seen at Nechisar NP
451. Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus rolleti
common in the Rift Valley.
452. * Black-headed Forest Oriole Oriolus monacha meneliki
common at the hotel at Wondo Genet.
453. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
common in Awash NP.
454. Red-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus phoenicuroides
common in Awash NP.
455. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
widespread & frequent.
456. * Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor elegans
[including L. e. leucopygos in this race] [considered as a separate species L. elegans "Southern Great Grey
Shrike" from L. excubitor "Northern Shrike" by some authorities]
common in Djibouti.
L. e. pallidirostris
frequent between Woldiya, Lalibela & Gonder.
L. e. buryi
common in Djibouti.
L. e. aucheri
common in Awash NP and towards Djibouti.
457. Grey-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides boehmi
frequent in the Rift Valley, south and south-east.
458. Long-tailed Fiscal Lanius cabanisi
common in the south and through Kenya.
459. Somali Fiscal Lanius somalicus
singles in Awash NP & near Negele.
460. Fiscal Shrike Lanius collaris humeralis
common in the Rift Valley and south.
461. * Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator niloticus
one at Lake Abiata-Shala NP.
462. Long-tailed Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus aequatorialis
one seen near Yavello.
463. Northern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus rueppelli
common in the south.
464. * Pringles' Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii
one seen next to the road by the river near Melka Ghuba.
465. Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis erythreae
widespread & frequent.
466. Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi jamesi
frequent in the southern Rift Valley.
467. Black-headed Tchagra Tchagra senegala habessinica
widespread & common.
468. Rosy-patched Shrike(Rhodophoneus cruentus hilgerti
common from Awash NP through to Djibouti.
469. Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus aethiopicus
widespread & common.
L. a. major
at campsite at Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
470. Crimson-breasted Bush Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus erythrogaster
common in the western lowlands near Gambela.
471. Slate-coloured Boubou Laniarius funebris
widespread & common.
472. Orange-breasted Bush Shrike Malaconotus sulfureopectus similis
widespread & frequent.
473. Grey-headed Bush Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti approximans
in the dry wadi near the River Genale while searching for Ruspoli’s Turaco.
474. White Helmet Shrike Prionops plumatus poliocephala
[considered as a separate species P. plumata "Straight-crested White Helmet Shrike" from P. cristata
" Curly-crested White Helmet Shrike " by some authorities]
several at Forest Inn near Mkushi, Zambia.
P. p. cristata
[see above]
frequent in the Rift Valley.
475. Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis adsimilis
widespread and common.
476. * Stresemann's Bush Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni
common on road from Moyale (from 40 km south of Mega) north to Yavello, although none seen on road from Negele to Yavello.
477. * Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax docilis
large flock of 100+ seen in Simien, and two pairs seen in the Bale Mountains.
478. House Crow Corvus splendens splendens
common in Djibouti city.
479. Pied Crow Corvus albus
widespread & common.
480. Black Crow Corvus capensis kordofanensis
widespread & common.
481. Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus
common in the highlands.
482. White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
frequent on the road past Mount Kenya.
483. * Thick-billed Raven Corvus crassirostris
very common in the eastern highlands, less so in the western.
484. Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio rueppellii
common in northern Kenya and the south.
485. * Somali Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus blythii
a small flock seen at the Fantalle Crater, Awash NP.
486. * Slender-billed Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris tenuirostris
several flocks seen in the forest above at Wondo Genet.
487. * White-billed Starling Onychognathus albirostris
common along highland escarpments
488. Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus chalybaeus
widespread & common.
L c. sycobius
on the track to Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
489. Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus chloropterus
widespread & common.
490. Splendid Glossy Starling Lamprotornis splendidus splendidus
common in the grounds of the hotel at Lake Awasa.
491. Rüppell's Long-tailed Glossy Starling. Lamprotornis purpuropterus purpuropterus
common in the southern Rift Valley.
492. Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus
common in Kenya and southern Ethiopia.
493. * Shelley's Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi
common on the road between Mega and Yavello.
494. * White-crowned Starling Spreo albicapillus
common on the road from Mega to Yavello, as well as from Melka Ghuba to Yavello.
495. Golden-breasted Starling Cosmopsarus regius
common in N Kenya and southern Ethiopia.
496. Ashy Starling Cosmopsarus unicolor
the commonest bird on the main road west of Iringa as it passes along the edge of the Udzungwa NP.
497. * Sharpe's Starling Cinnyricinclus sharpii
one bird seen while lazing in the Wondo Genet hot-springs.
498. Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster leucogaster
in the grounds of the Gorgora hotel, Lake Tana.
C. l. arabicus
frequent in the Rift Valley.
499. Magpie Starling Speculipastor bicolor
common from Moyale southwards.
500. Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
several in the hotel grounds at Lake Awasa.
501. Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus erythrorhynchus
on cattle around Lake Tana.
B. e. caffer
from the southern Rift Valley southwards.
502. Rufous Sparrow Passer motitensis shelleyi
[considered a separate species P. shelleyi "Kenya Rufous Sparrow" or "White Nile Rufous
Sparrow" by some authorities]
common around Negele, also at Lalibela.
503. Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus swainsonii
[considered a separate species P. swainsonii "Swainson's Sparrow" by some authorities]
very common from N Kenya to southern Ethiopia.
504. * Bush Petronia Petronia dentata dentata
on the road from Mille to Dese.
505. * Pale Rock-sparrow Petronia brachydactyla
near the main road on the outskirts of Djibouti city.
506. White-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis albirostris
frequent in the western highlands.
507. Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger intermedius
frequent on the road from Mega to Yavello.
508. White-headed Buffalo Weaver Dinemellia dinemelli dinemelli
common in the south.
D. d. boehmi
north of Arusha in Tanzania.
D. d. ruspolii
common around Lake Tana.
509. Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis frontalis
common in the southern Rift Valley.
510. Stripe-breasted Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser mahali pectoralis
north of Arusha in Tanzania.
P. m. melanorhynchos
common in the south and Rift valley.
511. * Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser superciliosus brunnescens
seen once on the escarpment near Metu.
512. Black-capped Social Weaver Pseudonigrita cabanisi
several in the Rift Valley.
513. Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht reichenowi
identified near Mega.
514. Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis crocatus
widespread.
515. Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus aureoflavus
Riverside campsite, Iringa, Tanzania.
516. Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops
at the hot-springs, Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
517. Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius intermedius
widespread.
518. * Rüppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula
small flock in near-non-breeding plumage behind hotel at Lake Langano, but common and in full breeding plumage in northern Djibouti.
519. Speke's Weaver Ploceus spekei
common in the Rift Valley.
520. Black-headed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus abyssinicus
widespread.
521. * Jubaland Weaver Ploceus dichrocephalus
a flock seen along the river near Melka Ghuba, within 1.5 km of the main road.
522. Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps melanotis
several seen at Sof Omar.
Most weavers were in non-breeding plumage, so very hard to identify. Consequently these records do not reflect how common weavers are in all habitats throughout Ethiopia.
523. Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea aethiopica
widespread and common, occasionally in large flocks (10 000+).
524. Fire-crowned Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus craspedoptera
widespread.
525. Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscana pusilla
widespread.
526. Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macrourus macrocercus
widespread in highlands.
527. White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus albonotatus
widespread.
Most Bishops and Widowbirds were in non-breeding plumage, so very hard to identify.
528. Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne delamerei
seen around Mount Kenya, while looking for Jackson’s Widowbird.
529. Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra
several seen in Nechisar NP.
530. Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera lineata
considered as a separate species P. lineata "Lineated Pytilia" by some authorities]
seen several times along the road around Metu.
531. * Ethiopian Crimsonwing Cryptospiza salvadorii salvadorii
in the forest above Wondo Genet.
532. Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala brunneiceps
common in the highlands and north.
L. s. somaliensis
common in the south.
533. * Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata larvata
[considered as a separate species L. larvata "Black-throated Firefinch" from L. vinacea
"Black-faced Firefinch" of West Africa by some authorities]
several along the roadsides near Metu, mainly females.
534. Blue-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata haematocephala
at the campsite, Shiwa Ng'andu, Zambia.
535. Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia rhodopareia
frequent in the western highlands.
536. Swee Waxbill Estrilda melanotis quartinia
[considered as a separate species E. quartinia "Yellow-bellied Waxbill" from E. melanotis
"Swee Waxbill" and E. kilimensis "East Swee Waxbill" of southern Africa by some
authorities]
frequent in the western highlands.
537. Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola ochrogaster
[considered as a separate species E. ochrogaster "Abyssinian Waxbill" by some authorities]
several at Gafersa Reservoir.
538. Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga rhodopyga
two near Gambela NP.
539. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild peasei
widespread & frequent.
540. Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis niassensis
at Riverside campsite, Iringa, Tanzania.
541. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus bengalus
widespread & common..
542. Purple Grenadier Uraeginthus ianthinogaster ianthinogaster
often seen on the road north of Arusha to Kenya.
U. i. hawkeri
common in Rift Valley.
543. Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata scutatus
flocks at the Gorgora hotel, Lake Tana and at Wondo Genet.
544. Cut-throat Amadina fasciata alexanderi
one at Lake Heyk.
545. Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata centralis
widespread & common, especially Lake Langano.
546. Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
common from Tanzania southwards.
547. Acacia Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisea
widespread & frequent, common in Awash NP.
548. * Exclamatory Paradise Whydah Vidua interjecta
common in the western lowlands around Gambela.
549. Cape Canary Serinus canicollis flavivertex
common in the Gorgora hotel grounds, Lake Tana.
550. * Black-headed Siskin Serinus nigriceps
common in the highlands, especially Bale Mountains.
551. African Citril Serinus citrinelloides citrinelloides
common at Lake Awasa and Wondo Genet.
552. Yellow-rumped Seedeater Serinus atrogularis reichenowi
[considered as a separate species S. reichenowi "Kenya Yellow-rumped Seed-eater" or "Reichenow's
Seedeater" from S. atrogularis "Black-throated Seed-eater" of southern Africa by some
authorities]
several seen between Lake Beseka and the main gate to Awash NP.
553. * White-throated Serin Serinus xanthopygius xanthopygius
[considered as a sub-species of S. atrogularis "Yellow-rumped Seed-eater" by some authorities]
common around Lalibela.
554. * Salvadori's Serin Serinus xantholaemus
3 at Sof Omar, but not in the valley but in the farmland within 3 km of the gorge.
555. Yellow-eyed Canary Serinus mozambicus grotei
several near Gambela.
S. m. gommaensis
frequent in the western highlands.
556. Streaky-headed Seedeater Serinus gularis erlangeri
common throughout, especially Jemmu valley.
557. * Brown-rumped Seedeater Serinus tristriatus tristriatus
abundant in Addis Ababa, and common in the highlands.
558. * Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis ankoberensis
[considered as a separate species S. ankoberensis "Ankober Serin" by some authorities]
at the standard site, no sign in any of the "normal" areas, but eventually found a pair singing from inside the only
small tree in the area.
559. Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus striolatus
widespread & frequent.
560. * Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana
several around the hotel at Lake Langano.
561. Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi tahapisi
widespread & common.
E. t. septemstriata
several seen in the Simien Mountains.
562. Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris flaviventris
on the road between Gonder and Debark.
563. * Brown-rumped Bunting Emberiza affinis omoensis
several seen on the road north from Yavello to Lake Awasa.