Eurasian Hoopoe + Bird of the Week Invitation XXVI

The serially monogamous Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is the only bird of its genus that I’ve seen. I was surprised when I first found how large their range is. It covers most of the old world, south of the 50th parallel, apart from the deserts of Central Asia, Tibet and Sahara and the dense jungles of Africa. The genus contains two other species which I’ve not seen yet, the African and Madagascar Hoopoes, but I understand that their habits are similar to that of this species. Their preferred habitat is bare ground with light covering, the better to probe for insects with its long, curved bill. This abandoned path inside Bharatpur’s Koeladeo National Park was perfect for it. I see a Hoopoe often on the outskirts of small towns, away from busy places or ploughed fields. Although it is said not to be endangered, I suspect its numbers are decreasing; I haven’t seen territorial fights between two males in my adult lifetime.

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There aren’t many places on WordPress where bird watchers can share posts. If you post any photos of birds this week (starting today and up to next Monday), it would be great if you could leave a link in the comments, or a pingback, for others to follow. You don’t have to post a recent photo, nor do you have to post a photo of the same bird as mine, but do use the tag “Bird of the Week” to help others find your post. For more information see the main landing page for this invitation.

Bird of the Week XXV

Huddle

The Green Bee-eater (Merops oientalis) is not exotic. I see many from my balcony every day, sitting on wires and making erratic dashes to pick up flying insects. Somehow I’d never seen them roosting in groups before. This group huddled together on a winter morning looked very funny and I clicked a burst of photos. In spite of seeing them every day, I hadn’t thought to check out their roosting habits. I read that there could be hundreds of them roosting together. These six hoods huddled up against each other are nothing compared to such large groups, but they are a funny sight at 8 o’clock on a February morning when other birds are already extremely active. They looked like a really sleepy volley-ball team. The early bird may get the worm, but the birds which eat insects need not wake up until insects are warm enough to fly about. Bee eaters can sleep late, it turns out.