Hoopoe
Upupa epops
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<birdfyi-bird slug="hoopoe"></birdfyi-bird>Named for its soft, far-carrying 'oop-oop-oop' call, the Hoopoe is an unmistakable Old World bird with a pinkish-brown body, boldly barred black-and-white wings and tail, and a long, erectile, black-tipped crest. It feeds by probing soil with its long, slightly decurved bill for beetle grubs, crickets, caterpillars, and other larvae, occasionally taking small lizards and frogs. It occupies open woodland, orchards, vineyards, parkland, and grassland with bare or sparsely vegetated ground, ranging across Europe, Asia, and Africa, with northern populations migrating. Cavity nests hold two to twelve eggs, incubated for 14 to 20 days, with young fledging between 22 and 32 days. Its undulating, butterfly-like flight is distinctive. It is assessed as Least Concern.
About
The hoopoe is one of the most distinctive birds in the Old World with its striking zebra-patterned wings and extravagant crest. It is the national bird of Israel and features prominently in mythology from ancient Egypt to the Quran. Hoopoe nests produce a foul-smelling secretion that deters predators.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 28.0 cm | 11.0 in |
| Wingspan | 46.0 cm | 18.1 in |
| Weight | 62.0 g | 2.19 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Pinkish-brown body with dramatically barred black and white wings and tail. Long, erectile, fan-shaped crest tipped with black. Undulating butterfly-like flight.
Bill
Long, thin, slightly decurved bill for probing soil
Habitat & Range
Open woodland, orchards, vineyards, parkland, and grassland with bare or sparsely vegetated ground for foraging.
Geographic Range
Europe, Asia, and Africa. Northern populations are migratory. A widespread species across the Old World.
Diet & Feeding
Insects and larvae probed from the ground, especially beetle grubs, crickets, and caterpillars. Occasionally takes small lizards and frogs.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CV. Incubation: 14-20 days. Fledging: 22-32 days.
Clutch Size
2-12
Sound
Song
The eponymous call: a soft, far-carrying 'oop-oop-oop', repeated in triplets or quadruplets. Given from a hidden perch; mellow and flute-like. Contact call is a thin 'cherrr'.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes (Hornbills & Hoopoes) |
| Family | Upupidae (Hoopoes) |
| Genus | Upupa |
| Species | Upupa epops |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Wiedehopf |
| Spanish | Abubilla |
Distribution
Hoopoe has been recorded in 7 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hoopoe eat?
Where does the Hoopoe live?
Is the Hoopoe endangered?
How does the Hoopoe nest?
What does the Hoopoe sound like?
How big is the Hoopoe?
What order and family does the Hoopoe belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Upupidae family