This is a list of the bird species recorded in Ethiopia. The avifauna of Ethiopia included a total of 880 confirmed species as of August 2021. Of them, 20 are endemic, one has been introduced by humans, and the statuses of 11 are under review. An additional 16 species are hypothetical as defined below. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.
The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and residents.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Ethiopia (also called a vagrant) (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Ethiopia (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Ethiopia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (S) Status - a species whose status is under review (H) Hypothetical - a species possibly present but which has not been documented.
Ostriches
Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Struthionidae
The ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. They are the largest living species of bird and are distinctive in appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
North African ostrich, S. c. camelus
Masai ostrich, S. c. massaicus
Somali ostrich, Struthio molybdophanes
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
Blue-winged goose, Cyanochen cyanopterus (E) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna (A) Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope African black duck, Anas sparsa Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Cape teal, Anas capensis Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (S) Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa
Guineafowl
Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Vulturine guineafowl, Acryllium vulturinum
New World quail
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
Despite their family's common name, this species and one other are native to Africa.
Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quail, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowl, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowl, and jungle fowl. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Crested francolin, Ortygornis sephaena
Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui
Moorland francolin, Scleroptila psilolaemus (E) Orange River francolin, Scleroptila gutturalis Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei Sand partridge, Ammoperdix heyi (H) Chestnut-naped francolin, Pternistis castaneicollis Black-fronted francolin, Pternistis atrifrons Erckel's francolin, Pternistis erckelii Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus Clapperton's francolin, Pternistis clappertoni Harwood's francolin, Pternistis harwoodi (E) Yellow-necked francolin, Pternistis leucoscepus
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.