The European hoopoe is a unique bird known for its striking crest that can be raised or lowered and its "hoo-poo" call, which gave the species its name. These birds have a reddish-brown body with black and white striped wings and tail, and they use their long, slender bills to probe the ground for insects. Hoopoes also have some fascinating defensive and nesting behaviors, such as producing a foul-smelling substance to deter predators and laying eggs in cavities where the female incubates them a

The exotic-looking hoopoe is a rare visitor to the UK, though it nests in warmer climates. After laying its eggs in a tree cavity, the female covers her clutch in a foul-smelling secretion. It’s thought that this protects the eggs against bacteria as well as making them less appealing to predators. Delightful! #WildlifeWednesday #WednesdayWisdom | RSPB

Eurasian hoopoe family | Nature And Wildlife

433K views · 15K reactions | The sound of a Hoopoe. This vocalisation gives the bird its common name in many languages.  @marcin_nawrocki (IG) #birds #hoopoe #nature #wildlifephotography #birdwatching #bird | Birdfact | Facebook

Listen to this magnificent Hoopoe showing off its distinctive "hoop-hoop-hoop" call in perfect clarity! A rare spring visitor to the UK, these striking birds with their mohawk-like crests and zebra-striped wings typically prefer Southern Europe and North Africa. Their unique three-note call carries through the April countryside as they search for insects among the warming soil. Nature's symphony is in full swing this sunny mid-April morning - have you spotted any unusual visitors in your local a