There are plenty of birding spots in and around Addis Ababa. Ghion Hotel in the heart of Addis Ababa is a famous hotel with a large wooded garden that can be very productive for birds. Birds like Brown-throated Seedeater, Swainson's Sparrow and Tacazze Sunbird are common species can be seen as soon as you take out your binoculars. You could also find African Dusky Flycatcher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian White-eye, Abyssinian Thrush and the lovely Bluebreasted Bee-eater.

Drive to the top of the plateau andreach a flat area near Addis called Sululta Plains (2600 metres above sea level), which has wet grassy and moorland like conditions, usually good for typical highland species and endemics. See birds like Ethiopian Cisticola, Blue-winged Goose, Moorland Chat, Thick-billed Raven, Augur Buzzards Whitecollared Pigeon, Wattled Ibis and Abyssinian Longclaw

Near stream crossings along the way to Debre Birhan you will see the Cinnamonbreasted Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Ethiopian Siskin, African Snipe, Spur-winged Lapwing, Thekla / Short-crested Lark, African Spoonbill, Mountain Wagtail, and several sub-species of Yellow Wagtail. Some common ducks and waders can be seen in a small wetland. Others seen include, Rouget's Rail, Spot-breasted Lapwing Egyptian, Hooded and White-backed Vultures.

At the Debre Libanos Monastery which is 2400meters above sea level, Geladas are seen near the monastery. Right at the base of the forest you will find White-billed Starling, Ethiopian Oriole, Lammergeier, White-cheeked Turaco, Banded Barbet, Black-winged Lovebird, Ruppel's Robin Chat, White-rumped Babbler, Abyssinian Woodpecker and Whitebacked Black Chat. At the Portuguese Bridge / Ras Darge's Bridge which is 2500m above sea level, Ruppel's Black Chat, Hemprich's Hornbill, Geladas are seen.