Birds and wildlife

Hoopoe

Upupa epopsGroup: HoopoeUK Conservation status:Not assessed

How to identify

The Hoopoe is an exotic looking bird that is the size of a Mistle Thrush. It has a pinkish-brown body, striking black and white wings, a black downcurved bill, and a pinkish-brown crest which it raises when excited. It does not breed in the UK, but as many as 100 Hoopoes can turn up in spring (mostly seen solo) as birds migrating north to Europe from Africa overshoot and land on the south coast of England. Hoopoes are listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Call

Hoopoe

Zdeněk Vermouzek / xeno-canto

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts