It is dominated by the central highlands, which lie almost entirely above the 1500-metre contour, extend over roughly two-thirds of an area comparable to that of South Africa and support a rich mosaic of grassland, forest, Afro-alpine moorland and cultivation. Wildly scenic and climatically temperate, the highlands are bisected by a lower-lying, lake-studded stretch of the RiftValley, while the eastern escarpment gives way to the arid badlands of Somalia and Afar, and the west drops towards the lush Nile Valley.
Ethiopia’s habitat diversity is reflected in a rich avifauna that comprises almost 900 species and includes an alluring array of endemics and near endemics. Indeed, depending on who does the lumping and splitting, Ethiopia’s list of national endemics currently stands somewhere between 15 and 25 species, possibly more. This is supplemented by about 14 ‘former endemics’ whose range only otherwise extends into Eritrea (a separate country since 1993) and another couple of dozen species shared only with inaccessible and/ or unsafe corners of northern Kenya, Somalia or South Sudan.
Best day trip from Addis Ababa
Menagesha National Forest
This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of African Birdlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of African Birdlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
agrochemicals and birds
By the year 2050, it is estimated that 171 million more hectares of agricultural land will be needed to feed a global population of 10 billion people.
arrivals and departures
The Mouse-Free Marion Project is committed to ensuring that breeding seabirds can return to a predator-free Marion Island.
FULL skies
High summer brings high entertainment to Botswana's Mababe Community Concession and Kazuma Pan.
specials IN THE MIST
With a distinct habitat and climate, Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands are a must-visit destination for any birder wanting to see a bevy of special birds.
MIDRAND marvel
Gauteng birders don't need to travel far to get their feathery fix. Midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Glen Austin Pan has become a favourite patch for this returnee expat.
IN TOO DEEP...again
The annual sardine run along South Africa's east coast is a thrill and a challenge for underwater photographers, especially if you throw birds and inclement weather into the mix.
a journey through the mysteries of moult
As a bird researcher in South Africa’s botanically diverse fynbos biome, I have come to regard bird ringing as part of my journey to understanding moult.
Southern SIGHTINGS
The midsummer period lived up to its reputation as the busiest time for rarities in southern Africa and produced a host of really good records, including several that got twitchers racing all over the subregion to try and add these mega ticks to their lists. As always, none of the records included here have been adjudicated by any of the subregion's Rarities Committees.
storm petrels in Kalk Bay
According to Roberts 7, both Wilson’s and European storm petrels occasionally seek the shelter of breakwaters during periods of strong onshore winds, but this is seldom observed off South Africa.
power-napping penguins
Periodic reduction in neural activity (sleep) is found in all animals with brains and seems to be essential to restore effective brain function. There is plenty of evidence of the adverse effects of not getting enough sleep, and recent research in humans has identified getting sufficient sleep as one of the four core pillars of living a long and healthy life.