Eurasian Hoopoe

Features a striking pinkish-brown or cinnamon body with bold black-and-white barred wings and tail. It has a prominent, fan-like crest of orange-brown feathers tipped with black. Sexes are generally similar, though females may be slightly duller.

The prominent black-tipped orange crest, long curved bill, and striking black-and-white zebra-patterned wings.

Length: 25-32 cm, Wingspan: 44-48 cm, Weight: 46-89 g

A distinctive, soft, triple-syllabled hoo-hoo-hoo or pup-pup-pup sound repeated continuously.

Primarily insects and their larvae, including crickets, ants, beetles, and cicadas, as well as small reptiles and plant seeds.

Prefers open or semi-open country, such as pastures, savannahs, steppes, orchards, and parklands with scattered trees.

Migratory in the northern parts of its range, wintering in Africa and southern Asia; resident in warmer southern regions.

Nests in natural cavities such as tree hollows or crevices in walls. Lacks a traditional nest structure; lays 4 to 7 eggs, and the female incubates them while being fed by the male.

Few species share its distinct crest and coloration. Woodpeckers have similar foraging habits on trees, but lack the elaborate crest and slender curved bill of the hoopoe.

Helps control agricultural and garden insect pests by consuming large quantities of grubs, beetles, and larvae.

Least Concern, with a stable and widespread population globally.

Look for them walking on short-grass lawns or pastures, probing the ground with their long bills. They can be quite confiding if approached slowly.

Hoopoes have a unique defense mechanism: nesting females and nestlings can secrete a foul-smelling liquid from their uropygial gland to deter predators.