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Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) Alternate name(s): "Hoopoe" Size: 25-32 cm; wing span: 44-48 cm Body mass: 46-89 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.17-0.23

Oman: Family Group 15 Family Group 15 Table Eurasian Hoopoe Thumbnails page /* Classification table */ Index of bird names Birds home page

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Eurasian Hoopoes have a buff and buff-grey head with a prominent, usually backwards-swept erectile crest of black-tipped buff feathers. Apart from the crest, their most prominent feature is a bold black and white bar pattern on the wings, which is in sharp contrast with the rest of the body plumage. The belly, vent and undertail coverts are light-grey, while the uppertail is black. The irises are dark. The long, narrow, slightly down-curved bill is dark-grey. The short legs and feet are also grey.

Taxonomy, classification See Eurasian Hoopoe at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Eurasian Hoopoe is available HERE . Eurasian Hoopoes are a widespread species, of which there are in total 6 races. Their distribution ranges from parts of North-west Africa to parts of Europe (not the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Benelux countries and most of Germany), Asia Minor, parts of the Middle East, mostly coastal parts of Arabia and all across the southern parts of Asia (except only parts of western China and central Pakistan), as far as eastern China and Russia. Towards the South, they are found all across India and Sri Lanka, as well as south-eastern Asia, down to southern Thailand (but normally not Malaysia). There are only rare reports of vagrants going as far as northern tropical Australia. Northern mid-latitude regions are their breeding grounds, while in subtropical areas they are permanent residents. In some areas (e.g. western India) they are found only during the northern winter. In Arabia Eurasian Hoopoes, nominate race "epops", are found as permanent residents from southern Jordan along the (near-)coastal eastern side of the Red Sea (western Saudi Arabia) down to the southern third of Yemen. On the eastern side they populate the eastern half of the UAE and of Oman, to about the border of Oman with Saudi Arabia and to Salalah in the South. Eurasian Hoopoes can live in a variety of habitats, which must include two features: bare soil for foraging and, in their breeding grounds, vertical surfaces (trees or cliffs) for nesting.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "epops" A Eurasian Hoopoe, race "epops", was spotted by us regularly on the Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in the timeframe September 2009 to January 2010. Eurasian Hoopoes, race "epops", were also found in Europe. Race "longirostris" A Eurasian Hoopoe, race "longirostris", was spotted and photographed in Australia in February 2014.

Photos

Race "epops"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a Eurasian Hoopoe looking sideways
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Near-lateral view of a Eurasian Hoopoe checking out the observer
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Eurasian Hoopoe
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

Near-lateral view of a Eurasian Hoopoe in need of a bit of preening...
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

...but no amount of preening will help when half the Eurasian Hoopoe's crest has fallen out
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

Here a wing stretch Eurasian Hoopoe style
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

Close-up lateral portrait of a Eurasian Hoopoe
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

Near-dorsal view of a Eurasian Hoopoe foraging on the ground
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

Dorsal view of a Eurasian Hoopoe (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[November 2017]

Breeding information

We have been able to obtain breeding information in Europe.

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Mostly migratory

Elementary unit: Solitary

There is a population of Eurasian Hoopoes that breed in Oman. Given that the distribution of Eurasian Hoopoes changes significantly with the seasons, these local breeders are not sedentary, but move at least locally. In the summer months the species is found only on the Musandam peninsula, while in winter Eurasian Hoopoes occupy the northern coastal fringe of Oman and parts of coastal Dhofar. Only during the months of migration are they spread over large parts of the country, including inland areas. This means that they migrate on a broad front, rather than following individual fixed routes (e.g., along the coastline).

At times, Eurasian Hoopoes can be quite approachable, especially when busy foraging on the ground.

Near-dorsal view of a Eurasian Hoopoe strutting past the photographer
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

No binoculars or camouflage gear may be required to watch a Eurasian Hoopoe when it is busy
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

While foraging, Eurasian Hoopoes prefer to run from place to place, rather than fly short distances.

Frontal view of a Eurasian Hoopoe running from one shady place to another
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]

The Common Myna in the photo below tried to hustle the Eurasian Hoopoe, but with little effect. The Eurasian Hoopoe showed who is the tallest (with crest) and that settled the issue.

"OK, Buddy, that's close enough!" Eurasian Hoopoe warning a Common Myna
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, December 2009]

Food, Diet

Eurasian Hoopoes feed on small animals (many of which are considered to be pests) that they dig out of the soil with their long, pointed bills.

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_jp_20250208_2.m4a	epops (Portugal)	Territorial call (male)	© JP
hoopoe_jp_20250208.m4a	epops (Portugal)	Territorial calls (male)	© JP
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 Eurasian Hoopoe sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.