# Hoopoe (*Upupa epops*) The Hoopoe is a unique bird with a crown of feathers on its head. It has a long, curved beak for probing the ground in search of insects. Hoopoes are known for their distinctive 'oop-oop-oop' call. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Common Hoopoe, Eurasian Hoopoe ![Hoopoe](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426023/objects/6160.jpg) ## Appearance The Hoopoe has a striking salmon-pink to orange body with bold black and white striped wings and tail. Its most distinctive feature is a tall, erectile crest tipped with black, along with a long, slender, downcurved bill that sets it apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Bucerotiformes - **Family:** Upupidae - **Genus:** Upupa ## Interesting facts - Ancient Egyptians revered Hoopoes, depicting them as sacred birds in their art. - Baby Hoopoes can squirt foul-smelling liquid at predators to scare them away! - Hoopoes can shut their nostrils tight to avoid dirt when digging for tasty treats. - Its name "Hoopoe" sounds just like the "hoo-poo" call it makes! ## Special abilities - **Crested Display:** Hoopoes can raise their amazing crest feathers like a fan to show off or warn others, which helps them communicate. - **Super Sniffer Beak:** Hoopoes use their long, curved beak to probe deep into the ground, helping them find hidden insect snacks. - **Stinky Nest Defense:** Female Hoopoes can produce a foul-smelling liquid to make their nests smell bad, which helps them deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-32 cm - **Wingspan:** 44-48 cm - **Weight:** 0.046-0.089 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 15-18 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding Hoopoes mostly eat insects, especially grubs and larvae, found hiding underground or in the soil. - **Primary Foods:** Grubs, Larvae, Crickets, Beetles, Worms, Ants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — Juveniles are prey. - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — Can prey on adult Hoopoes. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus campestris*) — A common food source. - **Shelter:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Uses tree cavities for nesting. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Observe Hoopoes from a distance to avoid disturbing their natural behavior. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hoopoe? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Hoopoe? 25-32 cm ### What is Hoopoe's wingspan? 44-48 cm ### How much does Hoopoe weigh? 0.046-0.089 kg ### How long does Hoopoe live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Hoopoe move? 50 km/h ### What does Hoopoe eat? Hoopoes mostly eat insects, especially grubs and larvae, found hiding underground or in the soil. ### Where is Hoopoe usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Tierpark Hexentanzplatz Thale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hexentanzplatz-thale) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo - [L'Oceanogràfic](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loceanogr-fic) — Valencian Community, ES · Aquarium - [Mondragó Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mondrago-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park - [Naturpark Nuthe-Nieplitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nuthe-nieplitz-nature-park) — Brandenburg, DE · Park - [Tierpark Fauna Solingen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-fauna-solingen) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Hoopoe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hoopoe) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Hoopoe: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hoopoe)