Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Animals
Simply because it lacks large crowds of cavorting elephants, giraffes and rhinos, Ethiopia is
mistakenly written off by many Westerners as simply an historical destination. What they
don't know is that Ethiopia hosts 279 mammal species, 201 reptile species, 150 fish species
and 63 amphibian species. And that doesn't even include the birds!
To date, more than 860 species of birds have been recorded (compared with just 250 in
the UK). Of Africa's 10 endemic mainland bird families, eight are represented in Ethiopia;
only rockfowls and sugarbirds are absent. Families that are particularly well represented
are falcons, francolins, bustards and larks.
ETHIOPIA'S ENDEMIC BIRDS
There's no denying that the diversity and beauty of Ethiopia's astounding 862 recorded bird species could convert
even the most die-hard nonbirder into a habitual and excited twitcher. It's the endemic bird species that really set
Ethiopia apart.
An amazing 16 species are found nowhere else in the world. Thirteen more are semi-endemic, shared only with
Eritrea.
The best time to visit Ethiopia for birding is between November and February, when some 200 species of Palae-
arctic migrants from Europe and Asia join the already abundant African resident and intra-African migrant popula-
tions. The most likely time to spot birds is from dawn to 11am and from 5pm to dusk, although birds can be seen
throughout the day.
More noteworthy is the fact that of all the species in Ethiopia, 31 mammals, 21 birds,
nine reptiles, four fish and 24 amphibians are endemic (found only in Ethiopia). The
biggest thrill of all is the realisation that you have a pretty good chance of spotting some of
the rarest species, including the Ethiopian wolf, which is the planet's rarest canid (dog-fam-
ily member).
