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Context :

• The Hoopoe is scientifically known as Upupa epops & it belong to the family Upupidae.
• It is found in India & across the subcontinent.
• It is commonly known as the Common Hoopoe or Eurasian Hoopoe. And also it is recognized for its unique crown & regal appearance.
• The bird call hu-pu or hu-po is the origin of its name.
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2020. Upupa epops is listed as Least Concern.

Distinctive Physical Features

• • The Hoopoe is famous for its cinnamon-colored plumage & unique crown.
  • It resembles a royal aristocratic headgear.
  • The body of the Hoopoe is fawn brown. while its black and white stripes on the wings and tail add a touch of elegance likened to a zebra pattern.
  • The bird short & slender legs allow it to march briskly on the ground where it spends much of its time foraging.

Habitat and Migration

• • The Hoopoe is a resident bird of India but it migrates seasonally across the subcontinent.
  • For example during the monsoon it travels from the Western Ghats to regions downhill.
  • It prefers areas with bare ground lightly vegetated spaces & it is found near trees, cliffs, walls, or abandoned burrows.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

• • The Hoopoe is a solitary forager.
  • It uses its long, slender beak to probe the ground in search of food.
  • Its diet primarily consists of insects, small reptiles, frogs, & sometimes plant matter like seeds & berries.

Nesting and Defense Mechanisms

• • Unlike many birds, the hoopoe does not typically build twig nests.
  • Instead it prefers to build its home in abandoned burrows, trees, or rocks creating a safe space for the family.
  • Both the male and female work together to aggressively defend their nests.
  • If necessary the male will use his sharp beak to stab or blind intruders to protect his home.
  • The female hoopoe has an interesting defense strategy to protect the nest: she produces a foul smelling flui. It is usually an antibacterial agent from her uropygial glands.
  • This fluid which smells like rotten meat is used to coat the nestlings & ward off predators.

Chick Defense Tactics

• • The Hoopoe chicks also have defense mechanisms.
  • They can spray their droppings, hiss like snakes, & use their beaks & wings to fight off threats.
  • These behaviors are essential for the survival of the chicks in their vulnerable early stages.

Sun and Sand Bathing Rituals

• • One of the most adorable behaviors of the Hoopoe is sunbathing and bathing in the sand.
  • While sunbathing, the bird adopts a peculiar posture tilting its head back and extending its wings and tail above the ground.
  • This behavior may look as if the bird is dead but the Hoopoe is simply enjoying a moment of rest and relaxation in the sun.

Source: DTE