Eurasian Hoopoe

Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign

Antony Grossy


Eurasian Hoopoe

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign

Population 10,000,000

A truly captivating avian species that graces the skies of Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa with its distinctive appearance and mesmerizing flight patterns. Renowned for its striking orange plumage, accented by bold black and white stripes, this bird cuts a memorable figure against any backdrop, whether it be the verdant landscapes of Europe or the arid expanses of North Africa.

One of the most remarkable features of the Eurasian Hoopoe is its long, slender bill, perfectly adapted for probing into the soil in search of its favorite prey. This specialized bill is not only an essential tool for foraging but also a testament to the evolutionary adaptations that have shaped this bird’s unique lifestyle. Interestingly, the muscles around the mouth area are exceptionally strong, aiding the Hoopoe in prying open the soil and extracting its quarry with precision—a testament to the remarkable strength and dexterity of this charismatic bird.

While the Hoopoe’s appearance alone is enough to leave a lasting impression, its flight is equally captivating. Picture a giant butterfly taking flight, with graceful and rhythmic wing flaps propelling it through the air. Yet, it’s during the descent that the Eurasian Hoopoe truly dazzles observers. With a long, almost leisurely freefall, it descends back to earth, a spectacle that is as mesmerizing to witness as it is to describe.

Beyond its physical attributes and flight behavior, the Eurasian Hoopoe boasts cultural significance in several regions. In Israel, it holds the prestigious title of national bird, symbolizing the country’s rich natural heritage and resilience. Throughout history, this bird has captured the imagination of poets, artists, and storytellers, its vibrant plumage and distinctive call inspiring countless tales and legends.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Afghanistan
2020
Breeding
Albania
2020
Breeding
Algeria
2020
Andorra
2020
Breeding
Angola
2020
Armenia
2020
Breeding
Austria
2020
Breeding
Azerbaijan
2020
Breeding
Bahrain
2020
Passage
Bangladesh
2020
Belarus
2020
Breeding
Belgium
2020
Breeding
Benin
2020
Bhutan
2020
Bosnia And Herz.
2020
Breeding
Botswana
2020
Brunei
2020
Vagrant
Bulgaria
2020
Breeding
Burkina Faso
2020
Burundi
2020
Non-Breeding
Cambodia
2020
Cameroon
2020
Cape Verde
2020
Vagrant
Central Af. Rep.
2020
Chad
2020
China
2020
Congo-Brazzaville
2020
Croatia
2020
Breeding
Cyprus
2020
Breeding
Czechia
2020
Breeding
Côte D’ivoire
2020
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
2020
Denmark
2020
Vagrant
Djibouti
2020
Egypt
2020
Eritrea
2020
Estonia
2020
Breeding
Eswatini
2020
Ethiopia
2020
Faroe Islands
2020
Vagrant
Finland
2020
Vagrant
France
2020
Gabon
2020
Non-Breeding
Gambia
2020
Georgia
2020
Breeding
Germany
2020
Breeding
Ghana
2020
Gibraltar
2020
Breeding
Greece
2020
Guinea-Bissau
2020
Guinea
2020
Hong Kong
2020
Hungary
2020
Breeding
Iceland
2020
Vagrant
India
2020
Indonesia
2020
Vagrant
Iran
2020
Iraq
2020
Ireland
2020
Vagrant
Israel
2020
Breeding
Italy
2020
Japan
2020
Breeding
Jordan
2020
Breeding
Kazakhstan
2020
Breeding
Kenya
2020
Korea
2020
Breeding
Kuwait
2020
Passage
Kyrgyzstan
2020
Breeding
Laos
2020
Latvia
2020
Breeding
Lebanon
2020
Breeding
Lesotho
2020
Liberia
2020
Vagrant
Libya
2020
Liechtenstein
2020
Breeding
Lithuania
2020
Breeding
Luxembourg
2020
Breeding
Malawi
2020
Malaysia
2020
Maldives
2020
Vagrant
Mali
2020
Malta
2020
Vagrant
Mauritania
2020
Moldova
2020
Breeding
Mongolia
2020
Breeding
Montenegro
2020
Breeding
Morocco
2020
Mozambique
2020
Myanmar
2020
Namibia
2020
Nepal
2020
Netherlands
2020
Breeding
Niger
2020
Nigeria
2020
Nort. Mariana Is.
2020
Vagrant
North Korea
2020
Breeding
North Macedonia
2020
Breeding
Norway
2020
Vagrant
Oman
2020
Pakistan
2020
Philippines
2020
Vagrant
Poland
2020
Breeding
Portugal
2020
Qatar
2020
Passage
Romania
2020
Breeding
Russia
2020
Breeding
Rwanda
2020
Non-Breeding
Saudi Arabia
2020
Senegal
2020
Serbia
2020
Breeding
Seychelles
2020
Vagrant
Sierra Leone
2020
Vagrant
Slovakia
2020
Breeding
Slovenia
2020
Breeding
Somalia
2020
South Africa
2020
South Sudan
2020
Spain
2020
Sri Lanka
2020
Sudan
2020
Svalbard
2020
Vagrant
Sweden
2020
Breeding
Switzerland
2020
Breeding
Syria
2020
Taiwan
2020
Vagrant
Tajikistan
2020
Breeding
Tanzania
2020
Thailand
2020
Togo
2020
Tunisia
2020
Turkey
2020
Breeding
Turkmenistan
2020
Breeding
UAE
2020
Uganda
2020
Non-Breeding
Ukraine
2020
Breeding
United Kingdom
2020
Breeding
United States
2020
Vagrant
Uzbekistan
2020
Breeding
Vietnam
2020
Yemen
2020
Zambia
2020
Zimbabwe
2020

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No