SUB-REGION
Horn of Africa
SIZE
23,200 km²
BIRDS AND BIRDING
SPECIES
Diversity
Significant Afrotropical and Palaearctic elements in the avifauna
Approximately 330 recorded species
Endemics (E)
Djibouti Francolin (CR)
Birds best found in Djibouti but occurring more widely (BT)
Somali Starling
Arabian Golden Sparrow
Birds best found in two territories of the ABC region but occurring in more (B2)
Somali Bulbul
Other taxa of interest
Crab-plover
Sooty Gull
White-eyed Gull
White-cheeked Tern
Great Grey Shrike (aucheri)
Arabian Warbler
Gambaga Flycatcher
Sombre Rock Chat
Nile Valley Sunbird
Somali Sparrow
Yellow-throated Seedeater
MAIN HABITATS
Highland juniper forest, coastal mudflats and mangroves
BIRD AREAS
Djibouti juniper forests Endemic Bird Area
7 Important Bird Areas
BIRDING SITES
Forêt du Day for Djibouti Francolin and Somali Starling
Djibouti City area for Arabian Golden Sparrow and waders/shorebirds
TIMING (Nov, Feb–Mar)
Because Djibouti is a dry country, it is best to visit in the wettest months when most birds breed (Mar–Apr, Nov)
Passage migrants are most prominent Sep–Oct and Mar–Apr
Avoid the hottest time of the year (May–Sep)
RESOURCES
Apps
eGuide to Birds of East Africa
Field guides
Birds of the Horn of Africa by Nigel Redman, Terry Stevenson & John Fanshawe (2011)
Birds of Eastern Africa by Ber Van Perlo (2009)
Further reading
Djibouti by Georgina Magin in Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation edited by Lincoln D C Fishpool & Michael I Evans (2001)
Catalogue Commenté des Oiseaux de Djibouti by Alain Laurent (1990)
Articles in Scopus, Bull. ABC, etc.
ORGANISATIONS
There is currently no BirdLife Partner in Djibouti
The BirdLife International UNDP/GEF Migratory Soaring Birds Project works in Djibouti
Other bird or conservation organisations active in Djibouti include –
Djibouti Nature (formerly Wildlife Protection Organisation)
Décan Djibouti