We are lucky to have this lovely bird visit our garden during the breeding season—not that we have ever discovered a nest site—to secretly watch the comings and goings, as we have been privileged to do in Spain. The following set of photographs were captured in late July in our garden.
Looking like a Red Indian chief, the crown up after landing.
Straight to the main chance, the food search.
A grub is soon found.
How do you get that down the beak?
There it goes, down in one!
A wasp has gotten quite close to the Hoopoe, allowing for a close study of this strikingly coloured bird's defensive strategy.
Like a Flamenco dancer, the bird flashes its tail and raises its wings, displaying the black-and-white danger signs to the predator.
The crown raised, followed by swishing of its wings right and left.
The crown raised, followed by swishing of its wings right and left.
Ole!
Danger passes (the wasp has flown away), and the crown starts to recede.
A genuinely distinctive summer visitor who winters in Africa. If you have them in your area, keep your grass or weeds cut short (as above). This will help them in their search for food.
This quirky bird is a delight to observe, and we hope you, too, have the chance to see it.
Happy Days!
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