SCIENCE REPORTER, SEPTEMBER 2014 52

FEAT

UR

E FE

ATU

RE

ART

ICLE

IT is amazing to capture the plethora of bird species in a small area, particularly

in the Arid Campus of Mekelle University in Ethiopia, which reflects the diversity, abundance and richness of Ethiopian avifauna. A total of 29 bird species were caught by the camera lenses chirping, grooming, eating, drinking water, and weaving nest.

Ethiopia is naturally rich in bird diversity with 860 species accounting for more than 40% of African diversity. Of these, 29 species are endemic to the

KAMAL C. SEMWAL, ANURAG DHYANI, AND KIROS WELDEGERIMA

Greater blue-eared starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus

Augur buzzard (Buteo augur)

Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)

Black kite (Milvus migrans)Baglafecht weaver (Ploceus) baglafecht

African hoopoe (Upupa africana)

Black-headed weaver Ploceus cucullatus (male) weaving nest on Eucalyptus tree (above) and the female (right)

SCIENCE REPORTER, SEPTEMBER 201453

country. Some of these endemic species e.g. Thick-billed raven (Corvus crassirostris), White-billed starling (Onychognathus albirostris) and White-winged cliff chat (Myrmecocichla semirufa) have hardly been captured in camera before.

These birds prefer to live in open areas and some close to human habitations. Frequently observed bird species near human settlements were Grey headed sparrow (Passer griseus), Brown crown seed eater (Serinus tristriatus), Red billed firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala), Red cheeked cordan bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus), Dusky turtle dove (Streptopelia senegalensis), Red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata), Black-headed weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), Speckled pigeon (Columba guinea), and Baglafecht weaver (Ploceus baglafecht).

The birds depend on seeds, insects and fruits. Many birds were observed relishing the injera and bakery products such as bread (locally known as “Dabo”). Injera is a flat Ethiopian bread made from an indigenous cereal plant Eragrostis teff,

in grasslands, fields, on electric wires, electric poles, etc.

Augur buzzard (Buteo augur), African white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus), Black kite (Milvus migrans), Hoode vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), Long crested eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis), Mountain wagtail (Motacilla clara), Pied crow (Corvus albus), Plain-backed pipit (Anthus leucophrys), Speckled mousebird (Colius striatus), Thick-billed raven (Corvus crassirostris), and Common fiscal (Lanius collaris) were mostly observed in the outskirts of the city and prefer low-human activities.

which mainly grows in the highlands of Ethiopia. However, bread is not a suitable food option for the birds, because it has low protein, and no fat. Both protein and fat are required by birds to develop muscles and energy. Injera may be a good food option because it has good protein, carbohydrate content and is also rich in iron. The birds shifted their food choice may be due to readily availability of injera or scarcity of their natural food.

During the expedition we found birds busy weaving nests on tree branches most preferably Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Schinus molle, Ficus palmate, and Casuriana equisitifoila tree species.

African hoopoe (Upupa africana), Bare-eyed thrush (Turdus tephronotus), Common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus), Greater blue eared starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus), Streaky seed eater (Serinus striolatus), Blue-breasted bee-eater (Merops variegates), White-winged cliff chat (Myrmecocichla semirufa), and Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus) avoid human closeness, are hence observed

FEATURE ARTICLE

Blue-breasted bee-eater (Merops variegatus)

Red cheeked cordan blue (Uraeginthus bengalus)

Long crested eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)

Pied crow (Corvus albus) (above); Red billed fi refi nch (Lagonosticta senegala) (right)

Plain-backed pipit (Anthus leucophrys) (above)

White-billed starling (Onychognathus albirostris)

Earning of the local people can be enhanced if they are involved in the bird watching tourism sector, because many tourists visit Ethiopia for bird watching but do not get trained guides.

Urbanization has led to the destruction of bird habitat and nesting areas, expansion of electric wires cause death of birds.

SCIENCE REPORTER, SEPTEMBER 2014 54

FEATURE ARTICLE

Generally Hooded vulture, African white-backed vulture and Thick-billed raven are known as scavengers but they were observed to feed on left-over pieces of injera mixed with mutton. Conservation ScenarioDue to the destruction of their habitats, negligence, urbanization, and

deforestation the birds are gradually moving from the threatened to the rare status. However, urbanization has had twin impact on the bird’s life, positive as well as negative.

Urbanization has led to the destruction of bird habitat and nesting areas, expansion of electric wires cause death of birds. At the same time, some birds breed in the roofs of human habitations, and new green areas in the city allow many birds to roost.

The avifauna of Ethiopia is categorized as critically endangered (2 spp.), Endangered (5 spp. including 4 endemics), Vulnerable (12 spp.) and Near Threatened (14 spp. with 2 endemics). The conservation practices should be focused on the endemic species at the initiation level. Thick-billed raven, White-billed starling, and White-winged cliff chat have their own food priorities and specific habitat that should be maintained because these all are endemic to Ethiopia and can help in raising the economy if treated as Keystone species. The scavenger birds especially help to keep the ecosystem clean.

The Ethiopia Wildlife & Natural History Society, Addis Ababa is tasked with the conservation of birds, which

includes protecting sites, saving species, conserving habitats, and improving the livelihoods of peoples. Earning of the local people can be enhanced if they are involved in the bird watching tourism sector, because many tourists visit Ethiopia for bird watching but do not get trained guides. If the government can organize “Bird Guide” coaching courses, it may help the unemployed youth to enhance the economy of the country while at the same time generating awareness about the beautiful birds.

Dr. Kamal Ch. Semwal is with the College of Natural and Computational Science, Department of Biology, Endayesus Campus, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Address: C/o B.P. Barthwal, Near Rispna Bridge, Upper Sarthi Vihar, P.O. Nehru Gram, Dehradun, Uttarakhand; Email: semwalkamal@yahoo.comDr. Anurag Dhyani (anuragdhyani@gmail.com) and Mr. Kiros Welegerima (lezelalem16@yahoo.com) are also with the College of Natural and Computational Science, Department of Biology, Endayesus Campus, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Speckled mousebird Colius striatus

Streaky seed eater Serinus striolatus (left)

Speckled pigeon Columba guinea

Red-eyed dove Streptopelia semitorquata (left)

White-winged cliff chat Myrmecocichla semirufa

The birds depend on seeds, insects and fruits. Many birds were observed relishing the injera and bakery products such as bread (locally known as “Dabo”). Injera is a fl at Ethiopian bread made from

an indigenous cereal plant Eragrostis teff, which mainly grows in the highlands of Ethiopia.