Family: Upupidae
Genus: Upupa
Hoopoes are colourful birds found across Africa, Asia, and Europe. An utterly distinctive bird, vibrant orange in color, adorned with zebra-striped wings, and boasting a Chinese fan-like crest that is typically held closed but often raised just after landing. Its bill resembles a rapier in shape. This bird prefers semiopen habitats like heathlands, farmlands, orchards, and grassy lawns, where it forages on the ground, using its long bill to probe for insects. Its flight is fast and relatively direct, characterized by rather deep wingbeats. Although unlikely to be mistaken for other species, its flight pattern and rounded wings may loosely resemble those of woodpeckers; however, its far longer and thinner bill sets it apart. Its song is a distinctive «hoopoopoo.»
Photo: Look how gorgeous Hoopoe — Upupa epops
Description Hoopoe — Upupa epops
The distribution of the Eurasian hoopoe spans across a wide geographical range, encompassing regions across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. In Europe, the species can be found in regions ranging from Spain and the United Kingdom in the west to as far east as Russia. In Asia, the hoopoe’s range extends into the Middle East, Central Asia, and India, while in Africa, the species has been recorded across the northern parts of the continent, including countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt.
The hoopoe’s ability to inhabit diverse environments is due in part to its adaptable nature and broad feeding habits, which include foraging for insects, small reptiles, and other invertebrates. This flexibility allows the species to thrive in a variety of habitats ranging from woodlands and savannas to agricultural landscapes and urban areas.
The Eurasian hoopoe’s migratory patterns are also notable, as many individuals undertake seasonal movements to warmer regions during the winter months. This behavior adds an additional layer of complexity to the species’ distribution, as it can result in temporary or seasonal sightings in areas where the species is not typically resident.
Conservation efforts for the Eurasian hoopoe are influenced by various factors, including habitat loss, climate change, and the impacts of pesticides on insect populations. Despite being a species of least concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ongoing monitoring and conservation measures are necessary to ensure the long-term survival of this unique and iconic bird across its expansive distribution range.