Birds of Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA –Well, I’ve been all over the world since I last managed to post, and I’m currently finishing up a week in Ethiopia. I had a day in the UK on my way here, and Charlie Moores of 10,000 Birds graciously took me out for a great afternoon of birding. Thanks again, Charlie! I will get a post up eventually….
Anyway, I’ve had no real birding opportunities here in Addis, but thankfully, several of the common city birds are endemic to the Abyssinian Highlands, birds like Ethiopian Cisticola, White-collared Pigeon, and Wattled Ibis. Other species are common across much of Africa, but still spectacular, like the African Paradise Flycatcher and the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu.
I managed to get a few pictures out the office window this week:
Abyssinian Thrush, Turdus abyssinicus
African Citril, Crithagra citrinelloides
Baglafecht Weaver, Ploceus baglafecht. Both males and females of this race have green backs and crowns.
Black (or Yellow-billed) Kites are abundant.
Common Fiscal, Lanius collaris, a common African shrike.
Dusky Turtle Dove, Streptopelia lugens
Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Red-rumped Swallow, Cecropis daurica
Streaky Seedeater, Crithagra striolata, a common finch related to canaries.
Swainson’s Sparrow, Passer swainsonii. Local member of the Grey-headed Sparrow complex, which fills the niche of the House Sparrow across much of Africa.
White-backed Vulture, Gyps africanus
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I’m going to print this post out and take it with me to Addis next month so I’ll know what to look for out the window!
Great pics! The seedeater is like a mini female Purple Finch.
Marvelous birds! Most people think you have to “go birding” to see beautiful things. It’s just not true.
Nice pics, in Addis you can see different birds in different seasons.