Hoopoe

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.

Similar to the cuckoo the hoopoe gets its name from its call. A soft, low resonant poo – poo – poo or hoo – hoo – hoo sound repeated often.

Although hoopoes rarely breed in the UK up to 100 birds may arrive in April and May during their migration from sub-Saharan Africa. They are normally only found along the south coast of England as single birds alone, resting and feeding before recommencing their long journey to their breeding grounds in the warm climes of southern Europe. If you are lucky you may also see a hoopoe on its return to Africa during September to October. Spain has by far the largest European population of hoopoes.

Difficult to spot whilst ground feeding around hedges and tall grasses they can be spectacular in flight particularly when the late spring sunshine catches the bands of startling white feathers surrounded by black. Often when landing hoopoes will momentarily raise their fan-shaped crest. When nesting they prefer crevices or holes in vertical cliffs, walls or trees. Hoopoes can often be found laying on the ground sunbathing!

The hoopoe is predominantly a ground feeder foraging for insects, spiders, grubs, seeds and even small frogs. Occasionally it will also feed on berries.

For a more in-depth guide to the diet of a hoopoe, check out this article.

You are very unlikely to find hoopoes breeding within the UK; it has been reported that as few as ten pairs have bred on our shores over the past 200 years.

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.

The life span of the hoopoe varies from between 5 to 10 years.

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.

A hoopoe has a pinkish-brown/beige body with black and white striped wings which are broad and rounded in flight. It has a pinky-brown crest on its head with black tips and whilst normally laid flat, is very prominent when displayed fully erect. It has a broad white band on the outer part of the wing with black wing tips and a small white rump. Its short dark legs and slightly curved bill are ideal for foraging for grubs and other food directly off the ground. Whilst surprisingly difficult to spot whilst on the ground, in flight it transforms into an exotic bird with dazzling wing patterns with its wings closing only halfway and in a wave like pattern similar to a butterfly. Juveniles tend to be duller in colour.