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Difference between revisions of "Eurasian Hoopoe" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Eurasian_Hoopoe.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Rajiv+Lather|Rajiv Lather}}<br />Karnal, [[India]], December 2006]]
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'''Alternative name: Common Hoopoe'''
 
;[[:Category:Upupa|Upupa]] epops
 
;[[:Category:Upupa|Upupa]] epops
[[Image:Eurasian_Hoopoe.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Rajiv Lather.<br>Photo taken: Karnal, [[India]].]]
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'''Includes African Hoopoe'''

 
 
==Identification==
 
==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.
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The hoopoe is 19–32 cm (7½-12½ in) 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.
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====Variation====
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Subspecies ''U. e. africana'' (which is sometimes split as African Hoopoe) is darker and more chestnut. However, the subspecies ''U. e. waibeli'' is also quite dark but is usually retained in Eurasian Hoopoe. The easiest way to separate these two is by looking at the primaries in the spread wing (flight) which are all dark in ''U. e. africana'' but have white spots in ''U. e. waibeli''.
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[[Image:African_Hoopoe.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''africana'' (African Hoopoe)<br />Photo by {{user|Leon|Leon}}<br />Pretoria, [[South Africa]], March 2004]]
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==Distribution==
 
==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.
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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]].
  
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Breeds on most of the larger Mediterranean islands, throughout [[Turkey]], the Nile Delta and Valley and in northwest [[Africa]]. Small isolated outposts on [[Madeira]] and [[Canary Islands]], the Ahaggar of southeast [[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.  
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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]].  
 
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[[Image:Eurasian Hoopoe 2 .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''U. e. saturata''<br />Photo by {{user|Dave+2x|Dave 2x}}<br />Kinmen, [[Taiwan]], December 2012]]
Vagrants recorded on Svalbard, Iceland and the Faroes, the Azores and Cape Verde Islands. Accidental in [[Alaska]].
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'''Vagrants''' recorded on [[Svalbard]], [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]], the [[Azores]] and [[Cape Verde Islands]]. Accidental in [[Alaska]].
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==Taxonomy==
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====Subspecies====
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There are 9 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
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* ''U. e. epops'' in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] east to [[Iran]]
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* ''U. e. orientalis'' in northwest [[India]]
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* ''U. e. ceylonensis'' in central and south [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]]
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* ''U. e. saturata'' in east [[Siberia]], [[Mongolia]] and [[China]]
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* ''U. e. longirostris'' from northeast [[India]] to [[Malaysia]], [[Indochina]] and [[Sumatra]]
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* ''U. e. major'' in [[Egypt]]
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* ''U. e. senegalensis'' in [[Africa]] from [[Senegal]] east ot [[Ethiopia]], [[Somalia]] and [[Uganda]]
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* ''U. e. waibeli'' in [[Africa]] from [[Chad]] to [[Cameroon]] and [[Kenya]]
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* ''U. e. africana'' from [[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] south to [[South Africa]]
  
==Taxonomy==
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''U. e. africana'' is sometimes accepted as full species, African Hoopoe. [[Madagascar Hoopoe]] is sometimes regarded as a subspecies of this species<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>.
As well as the nominate which occurs over most of the western Palearctic the race ''major'' is found in Egypt, larger with stouter and longer bill, duller plumage, more streaked below and less white on wing and tail. In the Ahaggar of Algeria the resident race is ''senegalensis'', smaller than nominate but otherwise very similar.  
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
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[[Image:DSC 56621.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Photo by {{user|angletarn|angletarn}}<br />[[Bulgaria]], June 2009]]
 
Open woodland and cultivated country such as vineyards and orchards, parks and large gardens.
 
Open woodland and cultivated country such as vineyards and orchards, parks and large gardens.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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====Breeding====
 
Nesting hoopoes are capable of squirting fecal matter at intruders.
 
Nesting hoopoes are capable of squirting fecal matter at intruders.
==Bird Song==
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====Vocalisation====
 
<flashmp3>Upupa epops (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
<flashmp3>Upupa epops (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
''[[Media:Upupa epops (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
''[[Media:Upupa epops (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
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==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug17}}#Avibase
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{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Upupa+epops}}  
 
{{GSearch|Upupa+epops}}  
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<br />
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{{Video|Eurasian_Hoopoe}}
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<br />
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{{Video|Common_Hoopoe Use "Common Hoopoe" to}}
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<br />
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{{Video|African_Hoopoe Use African Hoopoe to}}
  
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Upupa]]
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Upupa]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]]

Revision as of 19:25, 17 April 2018

Photo by Rajiv Lather
Karnal, India, December 2006

Alternative name: Common Hoopoe

Upupa epops

Includes African Hoopoe

Identification

The hoopoe is 19–32 cm (7½-12½ in) 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.

Variation

Subspecies U. e. africana (which is sometimes split as African Hoopoe) is darker and more chestnut. However, the subspecies U. e. waibeli is also quite dark but is usually retained in Eurasian Hoopoe. The easiest way to separate these two is by looking at the primaries in the spread wing (flight) which are all dark in U. e. africana but have white spots in U. e. waibeli.

Subspecies africana (African Hoopoe)
Photo by Leon
Pretoria, South Africa, March 2004

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 northwest Africa. Small isolated outposts on Madeira and Canary Islands, the Ahaggar of southeast 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.

Subspecies U. e. saturata
Photo by Dave 2x
Kinmen, Taiwan, December 2012

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

Taxonomy

Subspecies

There are 9 subspecies[1]:

U. e. africana is sometimes accepted as full species, African Hoopoe. Madagascar Hoopoe is sometimes regarded as a subspecies of this species[2].

Habitat

Photo by angletarn
Bulgaria, June 2009

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

<flashmp3>Upupa epops (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Avibase

Recommended Citation

External Links




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