Mystery Bird: Hoopoe, Epupa epops

Ooh, I know this one. It's a hoopoe. Identifying marks: colour, curved beak and silly headpiece.

I remember it from my bird book when I was a kid: the name is rather striking.

Wonderful photo. I hope someone can find the photographer.

Yes, definitely a Hoopoe. Also the first "mystery bird" I can recall on this site that I know I've seen in my garden.

Agreed it's a hoopoe, but I don't know if it is a European or an African one. I gather it is slowly becoming less uncommon in southern England.

Damn, I tried to find this species while spending weeks in Madrid last year, but dipped. Supposedly there are a few at casa de campo but they hid from me.

Great flash shot there by the shooter.

I have no clue, except that this is a truly wonderful photo! Holy cow, it's so sharp and well framed, and just ... wow!

I heart Hoopoes!!

Hoopoe, Upupa epops -- yes, yes, fun to say, amazing to look at -- no need to add a reply except to say it again!

Hoopoe!
Upupa epops!

Oops--the genus is Upupa (misspelled in your title). And it's an echoic name, NOT a comment on the rather strong odor that clings to hoopoes even as skins in museum drawers.

We'll be seeing tons of 'em in a couple of weeks on my Provence tour!

As to just which taxon is shown in the image, beats me. Currently three species seem to be recognized, Eurasian, African, and Madagascar Hoopoes. No time to figure out how they differ---

rick

Definitely a hoopoe. A superb photograph. Endemic? Well, I have a pair that comes to nest in my garden (Gascony, France) every year. They nest under one of the roof tiles (they're the curved, canal tiles). This year they've had three broods (two in one nest and one - in between - in another). They're also called the dirty bird because they line their nests with faesces and they squirt faesces at nest intruders.They go back in winter to the sub-tropics. Their sound is hoo hoo, hoo hoo; and also a liquid hurgling.

I am seeking a hoopoe photo for my Audubon Magazine hosted Audubon magblog. com, "Unpacking Rosalie Edge, Slowly." I will include a credit line for use of a jpeg image in my next posting, which will be Wednesday Feb. 24 at night.

I would appreciate it so much. I am the biographer of Rosalie Edge. My book Rosalie Edge Hawk of Mercy: The Activist Who Sved Nature From the Conservationsists" is the story of the woman who started the environmental movement in 1929.

Thank you fo ryour prompt response.