Hoopoes or hud hud
Hoopoes are found in almost all parts of Asia, even in cities and towns where there are few open spaces left. This is a small bird about 12 inches long, the size of a large thrush or mynah, and it has short legs with heavy feet and powerful claws. It is one of the Old World’s non-passerine birds. its name in many languages.
Name definition
For example in English it is ‘hoopoe’, in Persian and Urdu it is “hud”. Its scientific name is “Upupa epops”. large crown of feathers tipped with black that constantly opens and closes on the head. It is long and fan shaped with feathers that increase in length from front to back. When feeding, the crest is closed. The upper part of its body is a pale brown, with wings of black striped with white. The under-parts are buff, streaked with black. The black tail has one broad stripe of white.
When alarmed or excited, the crest is unfurled and opens out like a fan. These bands are clearly seen when the bird is in flight. Its short legs are well adapted for walking. The tail is not very long, and is black with a white central bar. The beak is long, slender and slightly down-curved. It is fawn or cinnamon in color with black and white stripes on the back, wings and tail.
Favorite spots
Hoopoes are usually found in open areas far away from patches of vegetation or habitation. The hoopoe walks and runs with ease, as it feeds almost entirely on the ground. It walks with quick steps, bobbing its head in time with the steps. Its flight is strong and direct. This bird has a beautiful crest, it may quietly flash its long crest open and shut. Lawns, paths and manure heaps are their favorite spots.
Diet or food
They eat mainly insects and other small invertebrates found around the ground. It also feeds on insect larvae, spiders, centipedes and earthworms. The long pointed beak acts like a pair of forceps, for prey fishing and fissures. They snatch up insects and worms in its long bill. Hud hud bird tosses up its prey and skillfully catches it in its open beak. The hoopoe prefers the ground to the sky. They use untidy collection of grass, straw, hair and leaves deposited on the floor of the holes makes up the nest.
Bio of hud hud
Hoopoes are colourful birds found across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Hudhud is a little bright orange, insectivorous bird found across the world. Some people say it hoopoe. (While the bird is called 'HudHud' in Arabic, in English it is known as the Hoopoe. The scientific name of the bird is Upupu epops.) The hoopoe is an elegant bird, which is related to the hornbill. With a funky crest, a long tapering bill, zebra striped wings and a flight resembling a butterfly, Hoopoe (Upupa epops, Hudhud in arabic) is one of the most distinctive birds. They have beautiful feathers crown on their heads.
Feathers
The male and female have almost identical plumage, but the female tends to be slightly duller than her mate. Hoopoes are small ground dwelling birds which feed on insects and foraging on the ground. They usually stay inside holes in tree trunks and do not build a nest. Their beak is the most important tool. They use it to dig the ground to find insects.
Hudhud Bird is one of the beautiful creatures of nature. English poets feel difficult to find words to describe it’s beauty. Hudhuds are orange, black and white in color. We can see these birds in three continents like Asia, Europe and Africa. Nature has given the special capacity for female and young birds to defence themselves. They can produce a bad smell which makes their enemies uncomfortable. Hoopoes like warm temperatures, so are most numerous around the world, when climate change they move north. Usually they migrate to West and southern Africa.
Hobby and food
Hoopoe enjoys bathing on the sun and in the dust. During sunbathing, hoopoe takes specific position: it tilts its head back and spread its wings and tail above the ground. These birds have a peculiar courtship ritual that revolves around food. The male presents insects to the female for her to eat. The male hoopoe knows the way to a lady’s heart. Their beak is the ultimate weapon to catch food.
This Aves class birds eat both veg and non-veg food. Seeds and berries are classified under veg foods. Likewise, insects and reptiles are non-veg foods. African Hoopoes will also eat frogs, small snakes, lizards and also seeds and berries in small quantities. They also eat insect pupae or larvae which they consume by probing the ground with their beak.
The only time that Hoopoes are generally harmful is if you try to mess with their nests. They will not hesitate to use their beaks to blind. They are a very peaceful bird, traveling calmly. They never stay long. Hoopoe ladies and gents love the banks of the canal lining two sides.
Species
The Hoopoe is classified into a group that also includes kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, and woodhoopoes. There is only 1 species. Although there are several subspecies worldwide. You can easily recognize the Hud Hud from a distance in the air by his uniquely characteristic “fluttery” flight, which is like that of a giant butterfly,
There are about three subspecies of hoopoe. Formerly considered a single species, the hoopoe has been split into three separate species: the Eurasian hoopoe, Madagascar hoopoe and the resident African hoopoe.
Reproduce or breeding
They considered tree holes as their house where they lay eggs and feed the young birds. This species also lives in ground holes.The Male birds display it’s captured insect in front of female to impress them to fall in love. After laying eggs, the female needs to wait for at least 26 days to see the face of the young ones. The color of the egg is white and sometimes whitish brown. Like the female, the male also takes the responsibility to feed its baby.
The incubation period for the species is between 15 and 26 days, during which time the male feeds the female. Incubation begins as soon as the first egg is laid, so the chicks are born asynchronously. The chicks hatch with a covering of downy feathers. The chicks are brooded by the female for between 9 and 14 days. The female later joins the male in the task of bringing food. The young fledge in 26 to 29 days and remain with the parents for about a week more.
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