The African Hoopoe (Upupa africana) is a captivating bird species found throughout southern Africa. Known for its striking appearance and unique behaviors, the African Hoopoe is a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Description and Appearance
The African hoopoe averages a length of 25-29 cm (9.8 to 11.4 in), with a wingspan between 44 and 48 cm (17 and 19 in).
When fully grown, the bird weighs between 38 g and 67 g. This is about the size of the average American robin.
They have a distinct crest on their head which is chestnut in colour with black tips. The crest raises when the bird is eating or when it gets disturbed or startled.
Both males and females have black and white stripes on their wings and tails in a rounded shape.
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The striped pattern meets in a v-shape on their back.
The male is typically fully chestnut colored, whereas the female has a grayer body.
Juveniles are greyer in colour and have shorter beaks.
In flight, the African hoopoe can be identified by its unique wingbeat pattern: four to five flaps followed by a pause, during which the body dips slightly. The underside reveals the same black and white striping seen when the bird is perched.
Habitat and Distribution
While hoopoes from Europe and Asia migrate to the tropics in winter, the African hoopoe remains close to home and inhabits broadleaf forests and savannahs.
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The African hoopoe is widely distributed throughout southern Africa from Central Democratic Republic of Congo across to central Kenya and all the way south to the Cape of South Africa.
The species prefers open and bushy areas, including thornveld, a landscape with mostly thorny bush and trees, and riverine woodlands in dry areas.
African hoopoes are naturally found in South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and southern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Eating mainly large insects and their larvae and pupae, the African hoopoe feeds on beetles (Coleoptera), earwigs (Dermaptera), grasshoppers, locust, and crickets (Orthoptera).
To find the insects, the African Hoopoe uses its long beak to penetrate the soil and then may whack the insect or prey onto the ground to break it up into smaller pieces.
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The African hoopoe uses its long beak to penetrate the soil in search of insects.
Besides these, small reptiles have been found to be fed to chicks as well as worms, slugs, and small snakes. Small seeds and berries may even be eaten.
Behavior and Social Structure
The African hoopoe is monogamous, with breeding commencing in mid-April. Nesting occurs in pre-existing holes, with clutches of four to seven blue-green eggs.
Once paired with a mating partner, the male African hoopoe finds a suitable nest.
Pairs of African hoopoes remain together during the breeding period after which they may find a new partner.
The hoopoe is monogamous and solitary or seen in pairs. It is a territorial breeder and may use the same nesting site for several seasons.
Males typically choose to use the same site to nest in the following year.
Breeding and Nesting
The mating season begins in mid April where the male seeks out a female and offers her small pieces of food. Breeding occurs later in August.
The African hoopoe does not make its own nest but rather finds a nest hole that is just slightly larger than its body. The nest hole is probably chosen by the male.
The nests are located from ground level up to a maximum of about eight meters above the ground.
The clutch varies between four and seven eggs which are laid at one or two day intervals.
The eggs are smooth and blue-green when freshly laid but with age they become rougher and the colour fades.
Only the female incubates the eggs which hatch after 14 and 16 days.
While the female remains with the offspring, the male provides food for the mother and chicks.
The chicks are fed mostly by the male until close to their fledging date when the female and male share the responsibilities.
The chicks fledge after between 26 and 32 days. These birds are double brooded and have two sets of chicks per year. The breeding season ends in December.
Vocalizations
The African hoopoe’s name comes from the sound it makes and is onomatopoeic - meaning it gets written how it sounds. The call is soft, sustained and when sung by the bird it comes in a cycle of three to five repetitions.
The male African hoopoe's call is a distinctive "oop-oop" or "oop-oop-oop," often used during mating season. Additional vocalizations include a "swizzling" sound and other calls like "rattle" and "huk" when disturbed.
The African hoopoe’s name comes from the sound it makes and is onomatopoeic - meaning it gets written how it sounds.
The call is soft, sustained and when sung by the bird it comes in a cycle of three to five repetitions.
Conservation Status
Despite the population of all hoopoe species declining, the rate of decline is not considered rapid enough to list any of the species as vulnerable.
The decline in population is a result of habitat destruction due to agriculture and over-hunting.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conservation status of the hoopoe merits the least concern.
It is estimated that there may be five to 10 million hoopoes living worldwide.
Cultural Significance
Many African countries hold the hoopoe in high regard as it benefits communities by removing pests from the area.
The hoopoe bird has played an important role in the folklore of many cultures throughout history. It is mentioned in religious books, Greek plays, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Chinese texts.
In ancient Egypt, hoopoes were associated with wisdom and were often depicted in hieroglyphics. In African traditions, they are sometimes seen as messengers, their rhythmic calls carrying hidden meanings.
The hoopoe bird led King Solomon to meet the Queen of Sheba.
Hoopoe subspecies
Formerly considered a single species, the hoopoe has been split into two separate species: the Eurasian hoopoe and the Madagascar hoopoe.
The Eurasian hoopoe is the most widespread species. It contains seven distinctive subspecies divided by geographical regions:
- The epops subspecies extends from Spain in the west to the Pacific in the east and down to the borders of India.
- The saturata subspecies is found in Japan and southern China.
- Ceylonensis primarily inhabits the Indian subcontinent.
- Longirostris lives across much of Southeast Asia.
Hoopoe Facts for Kids
- Hoopoe is a bird of the family Upupidae.
- This colorful bird can be found across the Europe, Asia, Africa and Madagascar.
- Hoopoe inhabits wide variety of habitats: grasslands, savannas, forests and wooded steppes.
- Hoopoe is a national bird of Israel and one of the birds that were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt.
- Main threats to the survival of the hoopoe are habitat loss and climate changes.
- At the moment, number of hoopoes in the wild is stable.
- Hoopoe is a medium-sized bird that can reach length between 9.8 to 12.6 inches and weight between 1.6 and 3.1 ounces. It has a wingspan of 17.3 to 19 inches.
- Hoopoe is named after onomatopoeic sound produced by the bird: oop-oop-oop.
- Hoopoe is easily recognized because of its colorful feathers. Bird is cinnamon to chestnut in color, with white and black stripes on the wings and tail. It has prominent, upright crest on its head.
- Hoopoe has long and strong black beak.
- Hoopoe enjoys bathing on the sun and in the dust.
- Subspecies of hoopoe that live in temperate climate belong to group of migratory species.
- Hoopoe is characterized by undulating flight. Movement of its wings resembles the movement of the wings of a butterfly.
- Hoopoe is a territorial animal. Territory is usually populated with a single mating couple. Male will readily fight with intruders to defend its territory. Fights can be very violent and may end with serious eye injuries that can lead to blindness.
- Hoopoe requires cooler climate for breeding. Nests are built in the cavities of trees and stones.
- Female is responsible for the nest and for the eggs until the hatching. Male feeds the female during this period.
- Female secretes a substance of foul odor from the uropygial gland. This liquid smells like rotten meat. Due to unpleasant smell, most predators will stay away from the nest. On the other hand, insects (hoopoe's food) will be attracted.
- Number of eggs depends on the climate. It can range from 7 to 12 eggs per season. Eggs are milky white in color. They will hatch after incubation period of 15 to 18 days.
Table: Hoopoe Subspecies and Characteristics
| Subspecies | Location | Distinguishing Features |
|---|---|---|
| Upupa epops epops | Spain to the Pacific, India borders | Widespread distribution |
| Upupa epops saturata | Japan, Southern China | Specific to East Asia |
| Upupa epops ceylonensis | Indian Subcontinent | Inhabits primarily the Indian subcontinent |
| Upupa epops longirostris | Southeast Asia | Found across much of Southeast Asia |
Where to Spot Hoopoes
You’ll be able to spot hoopoes in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, or Zimbabwe.
