Hoopoe
Upupa epops (Linnaeus, 1758)
HP
HOOPO
8460
Family: Bucerotiformes > Upupidae
Unmistakable, with its down-curved bill, black, white and sandy brown plumage – not to mention its crest – this is a striking visitor to our shores, most often encountered in spring but with records from all months.
With a wide breeding range, extending from Portugal in the west to China in the east, the Hoopoe breeds as far north as Estonia.
Occasional pairs have bred here in Britain, although we lack the abundance of grasshoppers, crickets and small lizards that are the favoured prey within its core breeding range.
Identification
Hoopoe identification is usually straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Hoopoe, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Song
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
DISTRIBUTION
During Bird Atlas 2007–11 there were non-breeding records of Hoopoes in 203 10-km squares in Britain and a further nine squares in Ireland. These were typically spring-migration overshoots and their distribution fits the established pattern. Breeding was last confirmed in 1996.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in winter | 12 |
% occupied in winter | 0.4 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | -100% |
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +80% |
SEASONALITY
Hoopoes are scarce migrants that can be recorded from early spring onwards with some birds present in autumn and occasionally in winter.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Hoopoe, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
Adult Survival | 0.38 |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Ring size | C |
Field Codes | 2-letter: HP | 5-letter code: HOOPO | Euring: 8460 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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