Abstract: Background: Birds are important as bio-indicators and in ecosystem functioning such as pollination, seed dispersal and insect pest controls. However, birds are threatened by threats such as habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation all over their range. Furthermore, bird species composition and their distribution is poorly understood in forest fragments like the present study area. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the species composition, relative abundance and distribution of avifauna in and around Wondo Genet forest areas, South-central Ethiopia as a proxy to contribute in filling up the bird species check list of Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A stratified random sampling design across the four dominant habitat types; natural forest, wooded grassland, grassland and agro-forestry land was used. A point transect count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity and distribution. Biodiversity indexes were used to calculate the bird species diversity and one way-ANOVA was used to test for significant variation in species richness and abundance per plot among habitats. Results: A total of 137 species in to 47 families and 14 orders were identified. Accipitridae (12 species) was the most abundant family followed by Columbidae and Muscicapidae, each 9 species. Species richness and abundance varied between the four habitats. There was significant difference in average species richness (F3, 127 = 4.85, p = 0.003) and individuals (F3, 127 = 10.38, p = 0.000) per plot between the grass land and natural forest habitat types. The highest Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H’ = 3.78) was recorded from the wooded grassland habitat while the lowest was from the agro-forestry land (H’ = 2.84). From the 14 order identified, Passeriformes were the dominant in all of the four habitat types, while Columbiformes, Coraciiformes and Cuculiformes were dominant in the natural forest habitat. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the area has good potential for bird watching tourism that can integrate economic gain with biodiversity conservation. Hence, urgent conservation measures and further detail research is recommended.