Page 258 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

KINGFISHERS, BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS,AND HOOPOE
Order Coraciiformes Family Upupidae Species Upupa epops
Hoopoe broad white erect crest
band on
black tail
broad white band
on outer wings
fan-shaped,
black-tipped
crest, laid flat
small white
rump ADULT
pinkish to pink-beige
ADULT head and body
(juvenile duller)
slim, slightly
curved bill
IN FLIGHT
black and white
barred back
and wings

short dark legs

FLIGHT: direct but slightly undulating, hesitant,
erratic but not light and floating; quite quick, in-out
ADULT flicks of wings.

nobtrusive in the dappled shade of a tree in a sunny
UMediterranean grove, the Hoopoe bursts to vivid life as it takes
flight, revealing a dazzling pattern of black and white.When it
settles, it may raise its unique fan-shaped crest, which may also be
fanned in flight. It calls from a rooftop or tree, with crest raised, but
otherwise remains quiet and quite hard to spot. Its colours are quite
subdued, not vivid, but the pattern is remarkable and quite unlike
any other European bird: identification is simple.
VOICE Soft, low, quite quick, hollow poop-poop-poop, often repeated;
hoarse scheer.
NESTING Hole in tree or wall; 5–8 eggs; 1 brood;April–July. BLUR OF WHITE
FEEDING Walks on ground, probing and picking with bill, taking As it alights at the nest, the Hoopoe spreads its wings
grubs, insects, and worms. in a blur of black and white.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Widespread breeder and scarce
JAY GREAT SPOTTED migrant outside breeding areas
bold white rump; WOODPECKER 32; north to Baltic; seen in summer
see p.364 see p.260
only, except in S Spain, S Portugal,
and Balearics. In open woodland,
simpler wing
pattern parks, gardens, old villages and
farmsteads, and orchards.
big white Seen in the UK
shoulder patch
JF M A M J J AS ON D
5
1
Length 26–28cm (10–11in) Wingspan 44–48cm (17 1 ⁄2 –19in) Weight 60–75g (2 ⁄8–2 ⁄8oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan 5–10 years Status Secure
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