Ethiopian Birds: photos and field notes
A small English-language channel from Ethiopian birders: photos of the country's birds with scientific names, field marks, habitats and altitudes, plus the odd online talk.
What it is
Ethiopian Birds & Bird photography is an English-language Telegram channel run by Ethiopian birders. Its description sets the scene: over 865 species, 16 endemics and 15 more shared with Eritrea, from the Danakil Depression to Ras Dashen. It has around 530 subscribers — small, but active and refreshingly specific.
Why we picked it
Most posts read like a page from a field guide: a photo, the common and scientific names, field marks, how to tell the bird from look-alikes, and where and at what altitude it's found. You'll meet the Wattled Ibis, which lives only in the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Ethiopian Thrush, the Booted Eagle on its long migration and the jewel-like African Pygmy-goose. Some photos carry a credit and a place and date, such as Jigjiga or Addis Ababa.
It isn't only pictures. In August the group invited followers to an online talk on the critically endangered Liben Lark and then posted the recording. For International Vulture Awareness Day in September they listed five vulture species and hosted a talk. The honest downside: species posts don't come daily, and September leaned more on video links than new birds.
Where to start
- Scroll back through the feed — there are dozens of species, from kingfishers to bustards.
- Look for the endemics, starting with the Wattled Ibis.
- Watch the recorded talk on the Liben Lark.
- Planning a trip to East Africa? Match the scientific names against your bird app.
Who it's for
Birders and wildlife photographers, travellers heading to Ethiopia or East Africa, and anyone who wants to see birds beyond the usual European and North American field guides.
Quick answers
What language is it in? English, with scientific names for every species.
How many bird species does Ethiopia have? More than 865, including 16 endemics, according to the channel description.
Is it just photos? No — there are also announcements and recordings of online talks about rare species.
