Avifauna of Ethiopia: Some unsolved taxonomic questions

Ethiopian Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus)

Numerous taxonomic questions of birdlife in the Horn of Africa region will require further clarification or have been investigated only recently.

This concerns at least eight of the taxa listed in the Endemic Breeding Bird table. The Socotra Buzzard (Buteo socotraensis) is according to genetic findings closest related to Buteo bannermanni, who lives on the Cape Verde islands. Valid nomenclatural description was not done until recently (Jennings 2010, Porter and Kirwan 2010). Buteo archeri, living in Somalia, is often regarded as a subspecies of Buteo augur. Further studies to define the populations are lacking. Otus socotranus (described 1899) is seen again as a separate species after long lumped with O. senegalensis (Jennings, l.c.). The re-separation of Laniarius erlangeri (described 1905) of L. aethiopicus was only recently (Nguembock et al. 2008). In this context the Bulo Burti Boubou (L. liberatus), described in 1991 by Smith et al., was recognized as a morph and the species status withdrawn. Calandrella erlangeri (described 1905) was long regarded as subspecies of Calandrella blanfordi. Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993) united C. somalica, C. athensis and C. erlangeri to C. somalica. However, Clements (2000) regarded C. erlangeri again as separate species. While Redman et al. (2009) follow the suggestion, Ash and Atkins (2009) treat erlangeri again as a subspecies of C. blanfordi. A final clarification seems open. The Degodi Lark is no longer a valid species (Collar et al. 2009).


Two of the species listed in the Endemic Breeding Bird table (Caprimulgus solala and Hirundo perdita) are so far known only from specimens of scientific collections. Neither of the two species has been observed alive. H. perdita was collected in 1984 at a lighthouse in the Red Sea. The breeding range of the species is unknown but may lie in Ethiopia. The "Ethiopian Cliff-swallows" were first observed in Ethiopia in 1988. The birds showed some of the characteristics of H. perdita, but it is probably a separate, still scientifically undescribed species. Since the mid 90's, there are only sporadic observations (Ash and Atkins l.c.). Also without a valid scientific species name is the "Toha Sunbird", of which there is only one record of three birds in Djibouti in 1985 (Fry et al. 2000).

Projected distribution of Spotted Creeper
(Salpornis spinolotus) in Africa, www.birdlife.org

Similar inconsistent is the handling of Cisticola lugubris, which is seen as a separate species (described 1840) or as a subspecies of C. galactotes. The separation of Pytilia lineata of P. phoenicoptera seems generally accepted. But Ash and Atkins (l.c.) list P. lineata as endemic to Ethiopia, where Redman et al. (l.c.) does not. The systematics of wheatears is very complex and needs further investigations. Native to Ethiopia and Somalia Oenanthe lugubris is usually distinguished from O. lugens (but not by del Hoyo et al. 2005). Still unclear seems the relationship to the East African O. (lugubris) schalowi.

Even new discoveries and splits of species can not be excluded in the course of further research. One candidate could be Salpornis spinolotus, which is widespread in India and Africa. Tietze and Martens (2010) propose to regard the Indian and African populations as separate species. Even within Africa there are several subspecies: in Ethiopia S. s. erlangeri. There are clear morphological and vocal differences that separate erlangeri of the other groups. Further studies should clarify whether erlangeri is even a separate species.

With regard to the taxonomy of the Timaliidae, Ernst Hartert (*1859 +1933) is still quoted as saying: "What one can't place systematically is considered an Old World babbler." In fact, the affiliation of more than a dozen genera of the family of Timaliidae is still questionable, including Parophasma, a monotypic Genus with Parophasma galinieri as the only representative. Parophasma, the Abbessinian Catbird, is known for its qualities as a singer - not necessarily a characteristic feature for Old World babblers. Genetic studies confirmed a relationship with the warblers (Gelang et al. 2009), but a final study on the exact taxonomic position of the species is still pending.

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