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Hoopoes

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Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Upupa epops

Size:  Approx 30cm.  Wingspan approx 48cm.

Distribution:  Rare visitor to the UK

Months seen:  April to October

Habitat:  Heathland and scrubland

Food:  Invertebrates

Special features:  Hoopoes have orange-brown coloured plumage with black and white striping on the wings and tail.  They have a distinctive head crest which they raise briefly when landing.  They have a long, narrow, downward-curving black beak which they use to probe the ground or to turn over leaves in search of invertebrates.

The Hoopoe name may possibly come from the "oop-oop-oop" call these birds make.


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