Wiedehopf

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.