Where do Eurasian Hoopoe Nest?

During my travels, I was fortunate enough to witness the magnificent Eurasian Hoopoe (upupa epops) in all its glory. The sighting occurred on a warm summer day while I was exploring Akal wood Fossil Park in Jaisalmer Rajasthan. As I was walking along a winding trail, I suddenly heard a distinctive call that caught my attention. I was curious to find where Eurasian Hoopoe birds nest.

Do you get excited when you spot rare birds as you travel? I am hyper excited when I spot one during my road trips. Several times during road trips I have brought the car to a halt just to photograph the birds. I crouch slowly so as to not disturb the bird.

But a new problem arose. What do you do when the pretty bird refuses to face your lens?

Where do Eurasian Hoopoe nest and live

Bird Watching as I Travel – The Majestic Eurasian Hoopoe bird: A Rare Sighting

Discovering the Beauty of the Eurasian Hoopoe Bird

Stalk her? Well, that is what I did at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. From behind it was difficult to identify the bird. I had this urge to call it, make some kind of sound to look at me, to attract its attention. I dared not to, lest it flies away.

The bird Hoopoe was around 25cm in length with a distinctive long, curved beak and a colorful plumage of black, white, and orange. The bird was none other than the Eurasian Hoopoe, a migratory bird species found across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Eurasian Hoopoe Images in India

Encountering the Enchanting Eurasian Hoopoe on My Travels in Jaisalmer Rajasthan

Unveiling the Unique Plumage of the Eurasian Hoopoe

The Eurasian Hoopoe is a bird species that can be identified fast for its striking and unique plumage. Its plumage is striking with a stunning combination of black, white, and orange colors. The distinctive patterns and markings set it apart from other bird species.

The bird’s crest is perhaps its most distinguishing feature. Not as beautiful as a peacock’s, but the fan of feathers can be raised or lowered depending on the bird’s mood. When raised, the crest forms a distinctive ‘crown’ that makes the bird look even more regal and elegant.

The black and white stripes on the bird’s wings and tail feathers form a distinctive pattern, creating a striking contrast against the bird’s orange plumage, contributing to its unique appearance.

The Eurasian Hoopoe’s distinctive plumage is not just a source of aesthetic beauty; it also serves a functional purpose. The alternating black and white stripes on its wings and tail feathers when in flight confuse the predators. The orange coloration of its plumage serve as a warning to potential predators that the bird is poisonous or dangerous.

Its unique appearance and graceful flight make it a true wonder of nature.

The Fascinating Flight of the Eurasian Hoopoe

After many clicks the Eurasian Hoopoe kindly cast a side ward glance in my direction, blessing me with just one single shot before it flew off.

I watched in awe as the bird took flight, revealing a striking fan of orange and black feathers on its wings. It flew effortlessly, gliding through the air with its long wings and distinctive flight pattern. It was a breathtaking sight, and I felt incredibly lucky to have witnessed such a rare and beautiful bird.

The crest was flat, I found later to my disappointment on downloading the picture.

Common Hoopoe in India

Eurasian Hoopoe called as Common Hoopoe in India

Many months later, at Kokkare Bellur near Bangalore I spotted one more Common Hoopoe. It was searching for its food among the short grass, in the soil.

What do Eurasian Hoopoe eat?

They mainly feed on spiders, earthworms, lizards and sometimes on frogs too. These birds keep walking around, digging their bills deep into the soil, often making you follow them through uneven paths. One reason why the bird is seen as a symbol of industriousness and hard work.

This Hoopoe was slightly alarmed or disturbed by my presence. I could see its erect crest.

Where do Eurasian Hoopoe Nest?

The Eurasian Hoopoe breeds and flourishes in Asia, Africa and Europe. These birds nest and live in different parts of India. However they are known as Common Hoopoe. During the breeding season, which typically begins in March or April, they look for suitable nesting sites to raise their young.

Eurasian Hoopoes nest in cavities, which can include tree hollows, rock crevices, and even gaps in walls and buildings. They are known to use abandoned nests of other birds, such as woodpeckers, as well as man-made structures like nest boxes.

The female Eurasian Hoopoe is responsible for building the nest, using materials like grass, leaves, and feathers to create a soft, comfortable lining for the eggs. The male may assist in the process by bringing materials to the female or helping to guard the nest.

Once the nest is complete, the female Eurasian Hoopoe lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for around two weeks. After hatching, the chicks are cared for by both parents, who feed them a diet of insects and other small invertebrates.

Overall, Eurasian Hoopoes are adaptable birds that can nest in a variety of habitats, as long as suitable cavities or structures are available. Their nesting behavior is a fascinating example of the remarkable ways in which birds have adapted to their environments and evolved to meet the challenges of raising their young.

Where do Eurasian Hoopoe Nest

Nestlings of Hoopoe can be nasty when you approach them. They defend themselves by hissing, jabbing with the bill, producing an evil-smelling secretion and even spraying feces.

But the adults are well-mannered, I can confidently say from my experiences.

Fun Facts on Eurasian Hoopoe

  • This is the national bird of Israel since 2008. It got highest votes followed by Bulbul, Warbler and Finch.
  • In biblical stories, the bird carried messages to King Solomon from the Queen of Sheba.
  • These birds keep their nests dirty with a lot of excreta to ward off predators.
  • Their beaks are strong and can dig into the ground to find insects to eat.

The Significance and Symbolism of the Eurasian Hoopoe

One of the most significant aspects of the Eurasian Hoopoe is its role as a symbol of good fortune and happiness in many cultures. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the bird was associated with the sun god Ra. It was believed to bring luck and prosperity to those who saw it.

Similarly, in Greek mythology, the bird was associated with the Goddess Hera and was believed to bring happiness and good luck to those who encountered it.

The bird is seen as a symbol of beauty, elegance, and grace. In some cultures, the bird is also associated with royalty and nobility, perhaps due to its striking appearance and distinctive behavior.

Hoopoe Stamps

The Eurasian Hoopoe bird species has been featured on numerous postal stamps by different countries around the world. These stamps often depict the bird’s distinctive plumage and unique behavior, and they are sought after by collectors and bird enthusiasts alike. Do you have any such postal stamp?

One notable example of a stamp featuring the Eurasian Hoopoe is the 1996 stamp issued by the Israeli Postal Service. The stamp depicts a colorful image of the bird, with its distinctive crest raised and its beak probing into the ground in search of insects. The stamp was part of a series of stamps featuring birds native to Israel, highlighting the rich diversity of bird life in the region.

Another example of a stamp featuring the Eurasian Hoopoe (upupa epops) is the 2015 stamp issued by the Cyprus Postal Service. This stamp depicts a pair of Eurasian Hoopoes perched on a branch, with their colorful plumage on full display.

These stamps are a testament to the enduring appeal of this remarkable bird species and its importance in cultures around the world.

Eurasia Hoopoe Bird  Information FAQ

What do Eurasian Hoopoes look like?

Eurasian Hoopoes have distinctive crest of feathers on their head, black and white stripes on their wings and tail feathers, as well as orange plumage on their head, neck, and breast.

What is the nesting behavior of Eurasian Hoopoes?

Eurasian Hoopoes nest in cavities. They sometimes use abandoned nests of other birds, or abandoned man-made structures. The female Eurasian Hoopoe builds the nest. The mother birds line the nest with materials like grass, leaves, and feathers.

When do Eurasian Hoopoes breed?

Eurasian Hoopoes breed during the spring and summer months, typically beginning in March or April.

A Birdwatcher's Dream: Spotting the Eurasian Hoopoe in the Wild

A Birdwatcher’s Dream: Spotting the Eurasian Hoopoe in the Wild

Are Eurasian Hoopoes endangered?

Eurasian Hoopoes are not currently considered endangered, but they may be threatened by habitat loss and other factors in some areas.

What is the symbolism of the Eurasian Hoopoe?

The Eurasian Hoopoe has been associated with various symbolic meanings in different cultures, including good luck, prosperity, and protection. It is also sometimes seen as a messenger between the living and the dead.

Did you know before where do Eurasian Hoopoe nest? 

Did you like this blog on Eurasian Hoopoe? If you have found the information on Hoopoe birds useful you may consider saving and sharing it. Have you sighted this bird species in your native land? Please do share your unique encounters and Hoopoe sightings in comment box.

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58 Responses to “Where do Eurasian Hoopoe Nest?

  • Rangamannar Srinivasan
    6 years ago

    You are really Very lucky to spot such wonderful bird of rarest specious. Lovely n beautiful.

  • True.
    Indian birds are fussy.
    They need to be stalked..!

    Please see foreign birds who pose cutely at http://mybirdsblog.blogspot.com/

    After careful examination, I deduce that it was the Hoopoe that has stalked you, many months later. The Hoopoe of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and the
    Kokkare Bellur is “the same”. Right?

  • Sweetly u have narrated…

  • i’m jealous you were able to capture a picture of a bird. i can’t capture myself one cause they would immediately fly away. Great shot.

  • Great Shot! I love it!

  • That is one of the neatest looking birds EVER! Fantastic photos – this is GREAT!

  • Perhaps it’s just as well she refused to face the camera: her backside is beautiful too!

  • Indrani: What a beautiful bird, neat head display.

  • What a fascinating bird and such incredible camera work to capture it so well. This wonderful bird rewarded your patience. That’s a gift.

  • Interesting bird! Such a thrill to be able to see it in the wild.

  • That’s a very interesting bird. Great capture!. The nestlings do indeed sound nasty.

  • Hi Indrani! Great pictures; and you definitely managed to catch it quite well!! Don’t remember ever seeing one of these; maybe in the zoo…

    You wouldn’t guess where Blogtrotter was on the last post… Enjoy and have a great week!

  • Nice birds.

  • that bir is ezquisite Sandy

  • You’re very good at what you do and it is a pleasure to visit your blog…always…!

  • Excellent shots! They blend so well with the scenery that it would be a trick to spot them at all!

  • Experience as in you have been the victim of Hoopoe assault:):)?

    Love the shots of the elusive little thing! Way to stay diligent…

  • What a beautiful bird! I’ve never seen it before. Have a nice day!

  • Beautiful bird and the photographs.

  • great shots
    the bird seems new to me we dont have it here in Philippines
    have a great day and happy blogging

  • Great pictures of a cute bird! Thanks for sharing.

  • You consistently touch high standards with your great pictures and superb narrative.

  • These are wonderful shots! I love the color.

  • Beautiful shots of an amazing bird. It obviously pays to be patient. I look forward to more shots from you 🙂

  • I’ve heard supermodels behave much the same way 😉

  • Wonderful shots !!

    What gorgeous marking on the wings..

  • You have done well to capture a hoopoe on camera. I always seem to have trouble snapping birds. They move so fast.

  • What an amazing bird. I love the photos. I would have never seen one if I had not come here today. Thanks for sharing the info. I am a big fan of all birds.

  • Informative! Thanks for sharing:)Great shots too!

  • Wow thanks for the info about how hoopoes defend themselves. It’s nice to learn something about birds today.

  • I didn’t know that they were so widely distributed! I’ve always wanted to see one, but no luck until now. Your pictures are great, it’s amazing how well the birds blend into the background.

  • Wonderful! I love birds and love learning new things! Thank you!

  • This is a very beautiful bird. It looks a bit like our jay. You are clever to take such good shots without disturbing the bird. Have a great weekend.

  • What a beauty so exotic.

  • absolutely gorgeous, good shot..

  • They camouflage themselves so well. Well done.

  • Wow, beautiful bird photos. That’s interesting info about the nestlings.

  • Ah, what a wonderful photo you captured, the bird cooperated! 🙂 An interesting name for this bird, I have never heard of it, but it is quite beautiful.

    I find the birds to be difficult subjects to photograph; a telephoto lens is a necessity in this regard, and I hope to get something better than the 200mm I have someday soon!

    Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

  • I have experienced the trouble in capturing birds. these pics comes out well and i wish when i gonna take like this 🙂

  • nice capture …
    i too clicked few years back at Jim corbett national park and late in JNU campus deli…
    i love this

  • WOW…. so unusual! And beautiful

  • Excellent shots! I like them very much.
    Sometimes I try to photograph ravens in Turin parks, but they are too fast for me! 🙂

  • seen it quite a few times..its indeed a lovely bird

  • That is so cute. Love the beautiful patterns on its feathers.

  • I just realized that I’ve never seen a picture of this bird before, but I remember reading a novel decades ago that mentioned them. It was long before the Internet, so I jsut never got around to tracking them down! Nice to see one finally – and what a striking bird it is! They have bad-mannered children, but still, very pretty!

  • simply amazing pics…loved all of them

  • Very nice pictures of Hoppoe. Is also known as woodpecker here!

  • What a funny bird to watch 🙂
    He has no good cammouflage
    white with black stripes you
    can see him immediately 😉
    Very good shots you make !!!
    I personally always find it difficult to take a picture
    of a bird,
    they always fly so quickly away
    and I’m not quick with
    my camera LOL

  • Had been to Mangalore last weekend. and at our home, several species of birds come during this time. Will cpature some pics wen i go again this month end. Help me find their names please.

  • You did a good shots there and this is the first time I saw those kinds of birds.

  • Terrific shots, Indrani! I’ve never seen a bird like this so your post was even more interesting and fun. Glad you didn’t get sprayed!!

  • A very interesting bird. You got some great shots.

  • Lovely shots – amazing that its colours sort of blend in with the background!

  • whoaaaa.. to be honest i think i only came across this bird in a discovery channel or some bird magazine.. good info! i like 😀

  • what a beautiful bird, never saw it before. Nice picture, good capture. Best wishes from jeany

  • Beautiful. As amazing as the name! (I first thought you had made it up :-))

  • I like these, particularly the graceful lines of the top shot.

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