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HoopoeAlternate name(s): "Eurasian Hoopoe" ![]() Size: 25-32 cm; wing span: 44-48 cm Weight: 46-89 g |
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See Hoopoe
at Wikipedia |
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Photos |
Race "epops"
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mequinenza, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, September 2019]
Frontal view of a preening Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2023]
Near-lateral view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil, Alentejo, Portugal, August 2015]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Arrozais de Aguas de Moura, Palmela, Setubal, Portugal, January 2021]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Brok, Masovia, Poland, August 2018]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Reboleira, Lisbon, Portugal, August 2016]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]
Close-up near-dorsal view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Palhais, Barreiro, Setubal, Portugal, January 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, March 2014]
Near-dorsal view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Reboleira, Lisbon, Portugal, August 2016]
Dorsal view of a Hoopoe
(photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Reboleira, Lisbon, Portugal, August 2016]
Dorsal view of a Hoopoe stretching a wing
(photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Reboleira, Lisbon, Portugal, August 2016]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe in flight, wings up
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2016]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe in flight, wings down
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2014]
Near-dorsal view of a Hoopoe banking to land
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2014]
Dorsal view of a Hoopoe landing to join its mates in foraging on pasture
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil Dam, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]
More photos of Hoopoes, race "epops", were taken by us in Oman.
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Jun - Jan | Eggs: ca. 12 | Incubation period: 15 - 18 days | Fledging age: 26 - 29 days |
The breeding season depends a lot on geographic latitude and other climatic factors. The period listed above applies to eastern/central Europe.
The clutch size also depends strongly on geographic latitude. It varies from ca. 4 eggs in the tropics, via on average 7 in subtropical regions, to around 12 at higher latitudes.
Nest building: ? | Incubation: Female | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
Type: Hollow | Material: Tree, rock | Height above ground: 3 - 10? m |
Hoopoe feeding one of its chicks through the opening of its
hollow in a tree trunk (photo courtesy of Beata from Warsaw)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
Near-fledging age Hoopoe chick at the entrance of its nest
hollow; note the white gape (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
Hoopoe approaching its nest; the full-size
image gives an overview of where the nest is located
(photo courtesy of Agnieszka from Lodz)
[Biebrza National Park, Poland, June 2016]
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Eggs |
Size: 26 x 17 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
While foraging, Hoopoes prefer to run from place to place, rather than fly short distances, especially while foraging on the ground.
Near-frontal view of a Hoopoe foraging on the ground
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vilarelhos, Alfandega da Fe, Tras-os-Montes, Norte, Portugal,
January 2023]
Near-dorsal view of a Hoopoe foraging on the ground
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vilarelhos, Alfandega da Fe, Tras-os-Montes, Norte, Portugal,
January 2023]
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Food, Diet |
Lateral view of a Hoopoe with its prey, possibly a wood-boring insect
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2014]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe carrying away its prey
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Lagoa dos Patos, Beringel, Portugal, October 2019]
Lateral view of a Hoopoe foraging on the ground
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil, Alentejo, Portugal, October 2013]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
hoopoe_dw_20180525_2.m4a | epops (Poland) | Territorial call (male) | © DW | |
hoopoe_jp_20190606.m4a | epops (Portugal) | Territorial calls (male) | © JP | |
hoopoe_jp_20230203.mp3 | epops (Portugal) | Territorial calls (male) | © JP | |
hoopoe_dw_20180525.m4a | epops (Poland) |
Territorial calls (male) (+ House Sparrow) |
© DW | |
hoopoe_dw_20180525_NR.m4a | epops (Poland) | Territorial calls (male), no bkgd | © DW | |
hoopoe_jp_20200322.m4a | epops (Portugal) | Territorial calls (male) (+ Short-toed Treecreeper) | © JP | |
hoopoe_jp_20200412.m4a | epops (Portugal) |
Territorial calls (male) (+ Common Chaffinch) |
© JP |
More Hoopoe sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.