Hoopoe
Upupa epops
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Hoopoe is a striking bird with a pinkish-brown body, black and white striped wings, and a distinctive fan-like crest. Its long, curved bill is perfect for probing the ground for insects. The crest usually lies flat but raises when the bird is excited or alarmed.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles appearing duller. The Hoopoe's plumage remains consistent year-round, with no seasonal changes.
Size
Length
25cm to 32cm
Wingspan
44cm to 48cm
Weight
46g to 89g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black White
Secondary Colour
Pink Orange
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Hoopoes inhabit many open habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, farmlands, and urban parks across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They prefer areas with bare or short-grass patches for foraging.
Hoopoes are summer visitors to many countries in Europe, migrating to Africa for winter. They are rare but regular visitors to the UK, typically during spring migration.
Elevation Range
Up to 3,650 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Hoopoe. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Hoopoe demonstrates considerable agility with its butterfly-like flight pattern and irregular wing beats. Its ability to walk and run on the ground whilst probing for food also indicates good manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly strong for its size, the Hoopoe's long, curved bill allows it to probe effectively for insects and grubs. Its strength is adequate for its lifestyle but not exceptional.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Hoopoes show high adaptability, inhabiting a wide range of open habitats from woodlands to urban parks across various climate zones. Their diverse diet and ability to nest in both natural and man-made structures further demonstrate their adaptiveness.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally, Hoopoes are not aggressive birds. They are often solitary or form small groups outside breeding season. Their primary defence mechanism is a foul-smelling secretion rather than aggressive behaviour.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Hoopoes exhibit moderate endurance. As partial migrants capable of long-distance travel between Europe and Africa, they possess reasonable stamina. However, they are not known for exceptional feats of endurance compared to some other migratory species.
Diet
Hoopoes primarily feed on insects and their larvae, particularly fond of mole crickets and beetle grubs. They use their long, curved bills to probe the soil and leaf litter, extracting prey precisely. Occasionally, they may also eat small reptiles, seeds, or berries.
Behaviour
Hoopoes are often seen walking or running on the ground, using their long bills to probe for food. They are generally solitary birds but may form small groups outside the breeding season. When threatened, Hoopoes can produce a foul-smelling secretion as a defence mechanism.
Vocalisation
The Hoopoe's call is a distinctive, soft 'hoop-hoop-hoop' or 'oop-oop-oop', repeated 2-5 times. This vocalisation gives the bird its common name in many languages. During courtship, males may produce a raspy, frog-like sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Hoopoes form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from April to July. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, fanning their crests and singing to attract females.
Nests are built in tree cavities, rock crevices, or man-made structures. The female lays 5-8 pale blue eggs that turn olive-brown over time. No nesting material is used, creating a notoriously smelly nest.
Incubation lasts about 15-18 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 26-29 days but remain dependent on adults for several weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Hoopoe is listed as Least Concern globally, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and pesticide use. In some European countries, conservation efforts focus on providing nesting boxes and preserving traditional farmland habitats to support Hoopoe populations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Hoopoes in open areas with short grass or bare ground
- Listen for their distinctive 'hoop-hoop-hoop' call
- Watch for their butterfly-like flight pattern with irregular wing beats
- Often, when landing, hoopoes will momentarily raise their fan-shaped crest
- Hoopoes can often be found laying on the ground sunbathing!
- In the UK, Hoopoes are rare visitors, most likely to be seen during spring migration
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Hoopoes face predation from various birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and falcons. Ground predators such as foxes and cats may also pose a threat, especially to nesting birds.
Did You Know?
- The Hoopoe is the national bird of Israel, having been chosen from tens of thousands of votes in 2008.
- Ancient Egyptians considered the Hoopoe sacred and depicted it in their hieroglyphics.
- Hoopoes can rotate their eyes in their sockets, allowing them to keep watch for predators while probing for food.
- Hoopoes are now split into three separate species: African, Madagascan and Eurasian. Hoopoes have even been found on Everest! They are best suited to warm temperatures and areas with low-intensity farming with minimum pesticide usage.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2020. Upupa epops. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22682655A181836360.
View source - 3
report, 2001: del Hoyo et al.
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