Of the 832 species of birds known to occur in Ethiopia, twenty-three are found exclusively within the country’s boundaries. Most of these twenty-three endemic birds are widely distributed, chiefly on the western and southeastern highland plateau. In this issue four of these endemic birds are shown and described below.

Banded Barbet:- The little-known Banded Barbet is very widely distributed throughout Ethiopia between 300 and 2400 meters above sea level. It has been reported to eat insects and the fruit of fig trees. The barbet has been described also to hawk insects like a flycatcher and to hang from a branch up side down. Living singly or in pairs in trees near water, it nests in a hole in a branch of a tree or in a tree or in a stump.

Ruppel’s Chat:- The Ruppel’s Chat is a bird which! is uncommon to locally frequent in the western highlands of Shoa. Gojjam. Gondar, Wollo. Tigray and Eritrea regions. This Chat living! singly in small parties or in pairs, inhabits on edges and sides of cliffs and gorges and associated bare rock above 1800 meters. The Ruppel’s Chat is wholly black bird except for a white patch on the inner surface of the wing which contrasts sharply with the black when it flies. When sitting the chat has the habit of fitting its tail high over its head.

Abyssinian Catbird:- One usually notices the catbird when it sings. The catbird, one of the finest, if not the finest singer of all the birds of Africa is! frequently common in the western and northern highlands between 1800 and 8500 meters. It is found as far north as the Semien Mountains. It lives singly, in pairs or in parties up to eight! often in thickets and vines that fringe these forests.

It is a regular inhabitant in Addis Ababa for instance, embassies, hotels and many private! compounds. Distinguishing features of the catbird is its general grayish color, dirty white forehead and chestnut belly and under tail coverts.

White-billed Starling:- the white-billed Starling is frequent to locally abundant in the western and southeastern highlands. being most common in the north. Widely distributed in the country, it usually lives in association with cliffs and gorges near waterfalls. Its square tail and white bill distinguish the white-billed Starling from other red-wing starlings. It feeds on the fruits of juniper and fig trees.