John Ash (4)

This is a thorough reference book to the distribution and status of all species found in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. The heart of the book is its 872 atlas style maps. Using a grid of 528 squares over the region, the presence of each bird in a square is represented by four distinct symbols. These represent either a confirmed sighting/specimen, an uncertain record, confirmed breeding, or uncertain breeding.

The paragraph accompanying each map consists of the bird’s status in the country, migration pattern, distribution notes, breeding behavior and dates, and favored sites. This information is about one paragraph in length.

Other than a dozen or so black-and-white photos of various habitats, the only other photos in this book are 29 excellent, nice-sized color images. These represent all but 3 of the region’s 32 endemic birds. Not illustrated are the Red-billed Pytilia, the uncertain Ethiopian Cliff Swallow, and the never seen Nechisar Nightjar (known from only a single wing).

For the data oriented birder, this book offers a great deal of additional information. The 70 pages at the beginning cover a wide range of information from ornithological history to topography and geology to vegetation to breeding seasons. There are also 14 good quality color maps of the region showing a variety of geologic, climate, and vegetative aspects.

The last 78 pages of the book offer many lists that cover hybrids, endemics, hypotheticals, important bird areas, bird ringing/banding, a gazetteer, and references.

This book will appeal to the more ardent ornithologist, the traveling birder, and the Abyssian enthusiast; however, its emphasis on maps and data with few photos and no identification may be a little dry for many other birders.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) A Guide to the Endemic Birds of Ethiopia and Eritrea by Pol
2) Ethiopia's Endemic Birds by Urban
3) Birds of the Horn of Africa by Redman
4) Checklist of the Birds of Ethiopia by Urban
5) Ethiopia: In Search of Endemic Birds by Francis
6) Birds of Somalia by Ash
7) Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Stevenson
8) Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman
9) A Birds Atlas of Kenya by Lewis… (mehr)