Eurasian Hoopoe

The hoopoe is recognisable at once by its orange-brown crest, its black-and-white striped wings and its long, curved bill. Around our house we see it from time to time in the neighbourhood: in May 2024 high in a tree at the neighbour's, and in June 2022 on a post at another neighbour's. The crest usually lies flat and only goes up when the bird is excited or alarmed. With that bill the hoopoe probes the ground for insects and larvae, such as mole crickets and dung beetles. Its name comes from its call, a soft, three-part "hoo-poo-poo". When in danger, the chick can squirt a foul-smelling liquid from its preen gland, which is a good reason to leave the nest alone.