State of Eritrea

Birding Eritrea

Eritrea is a wonderful birdwatching destination. Despite its small size and the relative scarcity of visiting birders, nearly 580 species have been recorded here. It shares nearly 20 of the prized Abyssinian ‘endemics’ with Ethiopia, including Wattled Ibis, Rouget’s Rail, Ruppell’s (Black) Chat, Ethiopian Oriole, Black-winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, White-backed Black Tit and White-billed Starling.The country can be split into three basic ecoregions. To the east of the highlands are the hot, arid coastal plains stretching down to Djibouti in the south. The cooler, more fertile highlands split the country in two, reaching up to 3000m. Habitats here vary from the sub-tropical rainforest at Filfil Solomuna to the precipitous cliffs and gorges of the southern highlands. To the west of the highlands, the gently sloping plains of Gash Bark fall into the Sudan-Guinea biome, home to many species typical of Sahel savannah.

Eritrea also happens to lie on one of the major migration routes into Africa, guaranteeing excellent birdwatching in both spring and autumn, concentrated along the coastal plain, and the eastern escarpment edge of the highlands. Large numbers of raptors pass through Eritrea on their way to their wintering grounds in central and southern Africa. The country is poor, and bureaucracy is strict, but the people are kind and very friendly, and travelling within the permitted areas it is safe but do NOT venture off road or into other areas as there are still extensive minefields from the war. Crime is very low by African standards, as is street hassle. A good guide is necessary to get you to all the best locations and to help with the bureaucracy but in a week it is easily possible to visit the hotspots, see most of the endemics and take home about 200 species.

Key SpeciesMany Abyssinian endemcis can be found here. In the right habitat, Ruppell’s (Black) Chat, Wattled Ibis, White-cheeked Turaco, Black-winged Lovebird, White-billed Starling, White-collared Pigeon, White-throated Seed-eater, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Banded Barbet, Ethiopian Oriole and Ethiopian Cisticola (C. Lugubris) are all common breeding species. Rarer, but still regularly recorded are White-winged Cliff Chat (Mocking Cliff Chat is common throughout the highlands), White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Thick-billed Raven and Blue Saw-wing (Psalidoprocne pristoptera). There are also a large number of near-endemics (birds which are native to the Horn of Africa): Erckel’s Francolin, Blanford’s Lark, White-headed (Cretschmar’s) Babbler, White-rumped Babbler, Abyssinian Black Wheatear, Somali Starling, Swainson’s Sparrow, Ruppell’s Weaver, African Citril and Brown-rumped Seed-eater.Eritrea’s extensive coastal mangrove forests are the only place in Africa where White-collared Kingfisher breeds, and a recent study* found that the Eritrean Red Sea islands are of international importance as breeding sites for a number of sea and shorebirds, including White-eyed Gull (33% of the world population), Crab Plover (20% of world population), Lesser Crested Tern, Brown Noddy, Eurasian Spoonbill, Brown Booby, Greater Crested Tern, White-cheeked Tern and Bridled Tern. The threatened Socotra Cormorant is also suspected to breed on the southern islands.*Dawit Semere et al. The Status of Breeding Seabirds and Waterbirds on the Eritrean Red Sea Islands; ABC Bulletin Vol. 15 No. 2, September 2008

Eritrea has plentiful raptor species (59 recorded). Lammergeier are still fairly frequent in the southern highlands, along with Ruppell’s Vulture and Griffon Vulture (winter). Verreaux’s Eagle, Tawny Eagle and Long-crested Eagle are resident, and large numbers of esp. Aquila eagle species can be found either on passage or throughout the winter, including Steppe Eagle, Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Wahlberg’s Eagle. Significant numbers of these migrating species can be counted along the eastern escarpment of the Abyssinian highlands near Asmara, especially at the Asmara rubbish dump in February/March.The rocky uplands in Adi Keih and Senafe Sub Zobas are particularly good for Wheatears (11 species in Eritrea), Chats (10 species in Eritrea) and Rock Thrushes.

Travel permits for all the locations listed below can be obtained from the tourist office in Asmara. Remember that the Eritreans are not used to people birdwatching in their country, and there is a large military presence in some areas. Always ask before getting out your binoculars if in doubt! However, if you explain to most people what you are doing they are nearly always amenable and interested. In two years living in the country, I had very few problems and converted several Eritreans to the hobby!More on these sites and other locations can be found on the website Birdwatching in Eritrea