Common Hoopoe

The common hoopoe is a distinctive cinnamon bird, 25–32cm long with a wingspan of 44–48cm and a weight of 46–89g, with black-and-white wings, a tall erectile crest, a broad white band across a black tail and a long, thin, down-curved bill. Strong head muscles let it open its bill while probing in the soil. Its broad, rounded wings give a characteristic undulating flight, like a giant butterfly, as the wings half close after each beat. Its call is a soft oop-oop-oop, which may be the origin of its English and scientific names (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is native to Europe, Asia and Africa and is migratory in the northern part of its range, most European and north Asian birds wintering in the tropics. Eight subspecies are recognised, and the African form has sometimes been treated as a separate species. SoIB 2023 lists it as a migrant within India and a winter visitor with a very large range, estimates a long-term decline of about 52%, and rates it a Moderate conservation priority (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).