ትግራይ ዓደይ

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.

1.1       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.

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[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. 

          Figure 2. Tachybaptus ruficollis                                                            Figure 3. Podiceps cristatus            

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

1. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
2. Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens

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