Nicholas T
1. Tigray
region:
Tigray is one of the nine
administrative regions of Ethiopia [also known by its official name Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia]. It has a total population of 6.2 million people out of
which 85% live in the rural areas. The region has about 51.8 % of its total population which are with in the economically
active age group. Based on the 2007 census, the region is reported to have an ethnic
composition, 94.98% Tigrawai (Tigriyan ethnic group), 2.6% Agew-Amhara, 0.7% Erob
and 0.05% Kunama. What is more, Tigrigna, Erobgna, and Kunamgna are the most
spoken languages in the region. However, the working language is Tigrigna.
The region has long history, [over 4 thousand year old
Axumaite kingdom] civilization and is
home to Emperor Yohannes IV and General Alula Abanega patriotic figure in the
Ethiopian history. The Axumite
kingdom was once very powerful and had tremendous influence around present day
Rea sea countries. It left rich architectural and archaeological heritage worth
visiting. If you are interested in ancient history and civilization it has a
lot to offer and Tigray should be on your priority list.
1.1. Avifauna of Tigray
The Tigrayan highlands are not very wide,
because the Tacazze River, one of the tributaries of the Nile, draining the
major part of the Tigrayan highlands, separates them from the Semien Mountains,
west of it. Through the river valley and adjacent hills birds typical for the
Sudan-Guinea biome can penetrate far into the highlands where they sometimes
can be seen alongside birds typical for the Somali-Masai biome, that enter the
highlands from the East. For instance White-fronted Black Chats Myrmecocichla
albifrons and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weavers Plocepasser superciliosus
together with Brown-tailed Rock Chats Cercomela scotocerca and Rüppell's
Weavers Ploceus galbula. Although there are many more interesting aspects about
the savannah birds of these two biomes, for the visitor to Tigray the highlands
probably have the most interesting habitats and avifauna.
The
avifauna of Ethiopia includes a total of of 924 species, of which 23 are endemic and 3 are rare or accidental.
In Tigray(see figure below) the estimated bird specie is more than 500 [more than half of the
Ethiopian birds are found in this region]. It is not a
coincidence that Tigray is rich in birds. The variety in habitats over a vast
altitude range is huge. It extends from 3999 m
above sea level [in Tsibet Mountain] to 500 m above sea level in Tekeze valley. The birds treated here are birds available in Tigray
(excepted those highlighted with yellow which are given for sake of comparison)
 |
| Figure 1. Tigray with roads connecting towns and cities where birds have been studied |
Some of the common bird Orders
1. Podicipediformes:
The order Podicipediformes (Fürbringer,
1888) has 22 species, 6 genera and one family (the Podicipedidae). The family is characterized by slender, pointed bills and lobed feet.
They are all called by common name grebes.
Grebes are small
to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds with
lobed toes. They are an excellent divers and swimers. Due to the position of their feet being placed far back on
their body they are quite ungainly on land. Globally
about 20 species grebes are known among 3 species occur in Ethiopia.
[1] Mayr, Gerald (2004). "Morphological
evidence for sister group relationship between flamingos (Aves:
Phoenicopteridae) and grebes (Podicipedidae)". Zoological Journal of the
Linnean Society 140 (2): 157–169.
Adult Podiceps
cristatus is charaterized by black frills on the
sides of the head and black tuft on each side of the crow. It is found in fresh
water lakes and some of the recently contructed reserviours of tigray.
Adult Tachybaptus ruficollis
have chustnut red face and throat.just like Podiceps
cristatusit, it occurs in freshwater
lakes and dams. but sometimes it is seen in slow flowing rivers
1.1 Pelicans
Pelicans are characterized by long hook-tiipped bills
and with
a distinctive pouch under the beak suspended
from the mandible and upper part of throat. Like the other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet
with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide out of which 2 of these species namely: Pelecanus
onocrotalus and
Pelecanus rufescens occur in Ethiopia. Taxonomically pelicans are
classified into Order: Pelecaniformes.
Family: Pelecanidae
Adult
Pelecanus onocrotalus are
completely white with black and grey flight feathers (characyterized as pinkish
white). They occur throught Ethiopia and Tigray (see picture below from lake
hashengie). The immature Pelecanus onocrotalus dusky white in colour
Pink-backed Pelican adults are pale grey in colour with very well developed (large)
crest. During flight their deep vinous-pink rump and back are easy
distingushing characteristics
 Figure 2. Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in Lake Hashengie |
