Ethiopia is known for its numerous and diverse avifauna. 832 species of birds are known to occur in the country out of which 23 are endemic Most of these 23 endemic birds are widely distributed chiefly on the western and south-eastern highland plateau. In this issue four birds resident in Ethiopia are depicted two of which are endemic
Harwood’s Francolin (francolinus harwoodi) exclusively found within the country’s boundaries, in found within the upper Blue Nile system extending to the east and north of the Addis Ababa, Debre Marcos, Dejen, bridge This Francolin is a very poorly known Ethiopian endemic.
Rouget’s Rail (Rallus Rougetti) which is another endemic bird to Ethiopia is common on the western and southeastern highlands This Ralus mainly lives at higher elevations up to 4100 meters where it inhabits small pockets of grass tussock and wet hollows with plenty of cover It is a characteristic bird of the moorlands of Ethiopia.
The little Bee eater (merops pusillus) is a non-endemic bird that resides in the semi-desert bush Such a locality is Awash Station and the neighboring bush country along the Awash river. The little Beater is six inches long and behaves much like a flycatcher hawking from a low perch. It can easily be approached and identified by its brilliant yellow throat bounded by black and chestnut, greenback, and square tail
Another of the non-endemic bird is the Red-Headed Weaver (Malirnbus Rubriceps) that is common in Acacia Woodland A great representation of this vegetation can be found along the south shore of Lake Langano. This weaver occurs singly in pairs, or rarely in family groups.