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Revision as of 12:46, 20 February 2011

Photo by Rajiv Lather
Photo taken: Karnal, India

Upupa epops

Includes African Hoopoe 

Identification

The hoopoe is 25-29cm long, with a 44-48cm wingspan. This black, white and pink bird is quite unmistakable, especially in its erratic flight, which is like that of a giant butterfly. The crest is erectile, but is mostly kept closed. It walks on the ground like a starling.

Africana is darker and more chestnut.

Subspecies africana - African Hoopoe
Photo by Leon

Distribution

Widespread and generally common in southern Europe, Africa and much of Asia. In the Western Palearctic breeds from Iberia and most of France across Europe to the southern Urals, Caspian and Caucasus ranging north to Poland and the Baltic States. Scarce or absent from northern France to Denmark and in the uplands of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Breeds on most of the larger Mediterranean islands ,throughout Turkey, the Nile Delta and Valley and in North-West Africa. Small isolated outposts on Madeira and Canary Islands, the Ahaggar of south-east Algeria and in Israel and Jordan. Occasional breeder in some years in Britain and has bred in most northern European countries including Sweden and Finland but range and population fluctuate markedly.

In southern Iberia, North Africa and the Middle East the Hoopoe is a partial migrant or resident but elsewhere it is strongly migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa with small numbers perhaps around the Mediterranean. Main passage periods are Aug-Oct and Mar-May and migrants can be seen throughout Europe North Africa and the Middle East. A scarce migrant in Britain with less than 130 individuals seen in most years. Most occur in April-May and in southern England but regularly recorded north to Shetland.

Photo by angletarn
Bulgaria, June 2009

Vagrants recorded on Svalbard, Iceland and the Faroes, the Azores and Cape Verde Islands. Accidental in Alaska.

Taxonomy

Several subspecies recognized:

• U. e. epops in Europe and Asia east to Iran
• U. e. orientalis in northwest India
• U. e. ceylonensis in central and south India and Sri Lanka
• U. e. saturata in east Siberia, Mongolia and China
• U. e. longirostris from northeast India to Malaysia, Indochina and Sumatra
• U. e. major in Egypt
• U. e. senegalensis in Africa from Senegal east ot Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda
• U. e. waibeli in Africa from Chad to Cameroon and Kenya
• U. e. africana from Uganda and Kenya south to South Africa

Africana is sometimes accepted as full species, African Hoopoe. Madagascar Hoopoe is sometimes regarded as subspecies of this species.

Habitat

Open woodland and cultivated country such as vineyards and orchards, parks and large gardens.

Behaviour

Breeding

Nesting hoopoes are capable of squirting fecal matter at intruders.

Vocalisation

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