Common name: Eurasian Hoopoe
Scientific name: Upupa epops
Family: Upupidae

Size:
Body length: 25–29 cm
Wingspan: 44–48 cm
Weight: 46–89 g

Identification:
A highly distinctive bird with a warm cinnamon-buff body, bold black-and-white barred wings, and a long, slender, slightly downcurved bill. Its most striking feature is the fan-shaped crest on its head, tipped with black, which it raises when alarmed or excited. In flight, it shows a butterfly-like motion with rounded wings and strong contrast patterns.

Habitat:
Open countryside, farmland, gardens, orchards, and semi-arid areas. Prefers open ground for foraging with scattered trees or structures for nesting.

Status in the UAE:
Common resident and passage migrant. Widely distributed across the country.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds mainly on insects, larvae, worms, and other invertebrates, probing into soil with its bill.

Behavior:
Often seen foraging on the ground, probing soil with its long bill. Solitary or in pairs. Known for its distinctive “hoo-poo” call. Nests in cavities such as tree holes, walls, or buildings. Flight is undulating and visually striking.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)