Species profile
About this species
The Hoopoe is a striking bird found across Europe, Asia & Africa, renowned for its distinctive fan-shaped crest & bold patterning of black, white & cinnamon tones. It measures around 25-32 cm in length & is instantly recognisable by its long, curved bill, which it uses to probe the ground for insects & larvae. The Hoopoe is the national bird of Israel & holds cultural significance across many of the regions it inhabits.
Hoopoes favour open & semi-open landscapes such as farmland, orchards, olive groves, open woodland & scrubland, often near areas with short or sparse vegetation where they can probe the soil for food.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Hoopoe with us in Hungary.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning during the spring & summer breeding season offers the best light & greatest activity, particularly from April to June when males are displaying & feeding young.
Approach Hoopoes slowly & patiently when they are foraging on open ground, as they can be tolerant of observers who move carefully. Use a long telephoto lens of at least 400mm to capture close-up detail of the crest & bill without disturbing the bird. Look for perching opportunities on fence posts, low branches or old stone walls, which provide clean backgrounds & good light for portrait-style shots.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Hoopoe
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.