The hoopoe is a notable bird easily identified from a distance due to its distinctive crest of feathers. This bird features a sand-colored crest tipped with white, which forms a stunning fan shape when displayed. The adult male shows pink plumage on the head, neck, mantle and underparts, while the rump and belly are predominantly white. The wings are adorned with black tones and white bars, and the rounded tail shows a black base with a visible white bar.
This avian species, known as the hoopoe, lives in regions of Europe, Asia, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It prefers open landscapes such as orchards, vineyards, cultivated fields and wooded areas, often taking shelter and building nests inside tree holes or cliffs. Its diet consists mainly of insects, although it occasionally consumes small reptiles, frogs, seeds and berries.
Being a solitary forager, the hoopoe normally hunts on the ground, targeting prey such as crickets, locusts, beetles, earwigs, cicadas, antlions, insects and ants.
.
.
The hoopoe likes to nest in natural cavities, such as holes in trees, walls, buildings and monuments, in cliffs and between rocks. The female cleans the cavity by removing all the elements found inside, and the interior may or may not be lined. She then lays 5 to 9 pale gray or white eggs, which are usually laid at daily intervals. The female incubates the eggs for about 16 to 18 days. Once hatched, the chicks are covered with down and the crest appears two weeks later. At 20-24 days of age, chicks are visible at the entrance to the hole. The nesting period varies from 26 to 32 days in South Africa and 24 to 28 days in Europe and Asia. The young are fed by both parents on insects, but soon descend to the ground to search for food. Hoopoe produces one offspring per year, sometimes two.
.
The hoopoe is relatively common in its range, and the ѕрeсіeѕ is protected in пᴜmeгoᴜѕ countries. However, it can be ⱱᴜɩпeгаЬɩe or eпdапɡeгed depending on location, due to disturbance, һᴜпtіпɡ, сᴜttіпɡ of old trees and use of pesticides. Therefore, it is essential to take measures to protect this beautiful bird.
.
If you want to see the hoopoe in action, you can watch the video below. This bird is a true gem, and it is no wonder that bird lovers around the world adore it.
