Assessment of birds of the Arid water bodies in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

The ornithological role of lake Hashengie and 10 selected reservoirs have been studied from January to February, 2012 in Tigray, Ethiopia. Birds were surveyed using total and Block count methods from suitable vantage points. Bird species diversity, dominance, and vegetation cover were estimated. A total of 22,845 birds of 67 species belonging to 19 families were recorded. Maximum numbers of species were recorded in Lake Hashengie (65) followed by Hzaeti Wedi Cheber (38) and minimum was recorded in Mai Della reservoir (15). Significant difference in bird species were recorded between the two sites which have maximum number of bird species (Mann-Whitney Test: W = 778.5, P = 0.00). The migratory status of bird species showed that 47 (70 %) were migrants and the rest 20 (29%) were residents. Vulnerable species, Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca, in Lake Hashengie and globally near threatened species, Rouget’s rail Rougetius rougetii in Teghane and Ruba Feleg reservoirs were recorded. The highest vegetation cover (65%) was estimated in Tsnkanet. We conclude that the reservoirs and the natural lake intended for irrigation harbor a number of bird species and are an important foraging, breeding, roosting and nesting grounds for the birds.   Key words: Migratory, reservoirs, residential, Hashengie, threatened, vulnerable, Tigray, Ethiopia.