Species names in all available languages
| Language | Common name |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Hoephoep |
| Albanian | Pupëza |
| Arabic | هدهد |
| Armenian | Հոպոպ |
| Assamese | ফণিকতৰা |
| Asturian | Bubiella comñn |
| Azerbaijani | Şanapipik |
| Bangla | মোহনচূড়া |
| Basque | Argi-oilarra |
| Bulgarian | Папуняк |
| Catalan | puput comuna |
| Chinese | 戴勝 |
| Chinese (Hong Kong SAR China) | 戴勝 |
| Chinese (SIM) | 戴胜 |
| Croatian | pupavac |
| Czech | dudek chocholatý |
| Danish | Hærfugl |
| Dutch | Hop |
| English | Eurasian Hoopoe |
| English (Kenya) | Hoopoe |
| English (Philippines) | Eurasian Hoopoe |
| English (South Africa) | Eurasian/African Hoopoe |
| English (United States) | Eurasian Hoopoe |
| Faroese | Herfuglur |
| Finnish | harjalintu |
| French | Huppe fasciée |
| French (France) | Huppe fasciée |
| Galician | Bubela común |
| German | Wiedehopf |
| Greek | Τσαλαπετεινός |
| Gujarati | ઘંટીટાંકણો |
| Hebrew | דוכיפת |
| Hindi | हुदहुद |
| Hungarian | Búbosbanka |
| Icelandic | Herfugl |
| Indonesian | Hupo tunggal |
| Italian | Upupa |
| Japanese | ヤツガシラ |
| Korean | 후투티 |
| Latvian | Pupuķis |
| Lithuanian | Kukutis |
| Malayalam | ഉപ്പൂപ്പൻ |
| Marathi | हुदहुद |
| Norwegian | hærfugl |
| Odia | ସାରଣା |
| Persian | هدهد |
| Polish | dudek |
| Portuguese (Angola) | Poupa |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Poupa |
| Punjabi (India) | ਚੱਕੀਰਾਹਾ |
| Romanian | Pupăză |
| Russian | Удод |
| Serbian | Pupavac |
| Slovak | dudok chochlatý |
| Slovenian | Smrdokavra |
| Spanish | Abubilla Común |
| Spanish (Spain) | Abubilla común |
| Swedish | härfågel |
| Telugu | కూకుడు పిట్ట |
| Thai | นกกะรางหัวขวาน |
| Turkish | İbibik |
| Ukrainian | Одуд євразійський |
| Zulu | umzolozolo |
Revision Notes
Steven G. Mlodinow revised the account. Peter Pyle contributed to the Plumages, Molts, and Structure Page. Arnau Bonan Barfull curated the media.
Upupa epops Linnaeus, 1758
Definitions
- UPUPA
- upupa
- epops
- Epops
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Scientific name definitions
Version: 2.0 — Published July 19, 2024
Photos from this Account
(Eurasian)
(Eurasian)
(Eurasian)
(Central African)
(African)
(Eurasian)
(Central African)
(African)
(Eurasian)
Adult lateral view.
Adult in Flight.
Adult Upupa epops epops: Spread Crest.
Adult Upupa epops epops: Folded Crest.
Adult (nominate epops): Bill Close-up.
Juvenile (nominate epops): Bill.
Adult (nominate epops) Upupa epops epops, Lateral View.
Females of the nominate subspecies group are duller in color, on average, and are said to have a paler throat. While that may be apparent in some individuals, it is often not obvious, and in this pair one would be hard pressed to sort out which is the male and which is the female.
Adult (subspecies ceylonensis/longirostris): Frontal View.
Adult (subspecies africana): Dorsal View.
Adult (nominate epops), Flight.
Adult (subspecies africana): Flight.
Male flying to female carrying food.
Adult female (subspecies africana): Dorsal View.
Some adult females of this subspecies have a gray mantle, gray auricular patch, and gray on the underparts (especially, the chest).
Adult (nominate epops) Dorsal View.
Adult Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops africana).
Note the orange back, orange anterior neck, and the black wings with three broad white bars plus a white triangle.
Possible Confusion Species: Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata).
Eurasian Hoopoe (subspecies africana) is eliminated by the black wings bearing five relatively narrow white bars and the extensively pale gray foreneck. The solidly gray-olive mantle would be atypical for Eurasian Hoopoe, and though it has a small bit of gray in the auriculars, there is not a distinct gray auricular patch as is often seen on Eurasian Hoopoe females.
Possible Confusion Species: Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata).
This Madagascar Hoopoe has very little grayish was on the mantle, and in this respect, closely resembles an Eurasian Hoopoe (subspecies africana). However, it is still easily identified by the five relatively narrow white bars on the wing and the whitish anterior neck.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops africana), Adult Female.
This female Eurasian Hoopoe (subspecies africana) has a grayish mantle, much like many Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata). However, it has a prominent gray auricular patch, unlike what is seen in that species.
Possible Confusion Species: Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata).
Though many Madagascar Hoopoe have some gray on the auriculars, it rarely forms the distinct patch typically seen in female Eurasian Hoopoe (subspecies africana). The pale gray foreneck on both birds readily distinguish them from Eurasian Hoopoe. Note that wings of the the front bird (facing largely away) have only four distinct bars, the fifth (rearmost) white marking being more like that of an Eurasian Hoopoe.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops africana), Adult Female.
This female Eurasian Hoopoe has gray on the mantle, like a Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata), but it has a prominent gray auricular patch and dusky gray markings nearly throughout the underparts, unlike any Madagascar Hoopoe (which often has pale gray on the underparts).
Possible Confusion Species: Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata).
This Madagascar Hoopoe has near extensive pale gray below, unlike any African Hoopoe. It does have gray in the auriculars, but such does not form a neat patch.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops africana), Female in Flight.
This flying female (bird on left) has a pattern on the inner wing much like that of a Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata), but it has all dark primaries, unlike that species.
Possible Confusion Species: Madagascar Hoopoe (Upupa marginata), in Flight.
The inner wing pattern of this flying Madagascar Hoopoe is much like that of a female Eurasian Hoopoe (subspecies africana), but the white band across the primaries readily separates it from that taxon.
Juvenile Plumage (subspecies epops).
Juvenile Plumage closely resembles that of later plumages (including crest feathers) but is duller and usually somewhat paler. Note the shorter and straighter bill than adults and the swollen pale yellow gape of nestlings and juveniles.
Juvenile Plumage (subspecies epops).
Note the pale and filamentous back and underpart feathers and swollen pale yellow gape. Peformative Molt may have begun and included some feathers of the face. The bill is shorter and straighter than in adults.
Juvenile Plumage (subspecies epops).
Note the pale and filamentous back feathers, short bill, and swollen pale yellow gape.
Formative Plumage (subspecies probably longirostris).
Formative Plumage is best identified by molt limits among wing and tail feathers and condition and quality of retained juvenile flight feathers. Here note the replaced inner two tertials, contrasting with remaining secondaries, and the narrow, tapered or rounded, and brownish outer primary and rectrix tips. The bill remains shorter and straighter than those of adults of this subspecies.
Formative Plumage (subspecies ceylonensis).
Note the retained juvenile, tapered or rounded and brown, outer primaries and rectrices, The middle tertial has also been replaced, forming a molt limit between it and the outer tertial. Study is needed on replacement of upperwing coverts during the Preformative Molt; here the visible greater coverts may also be juvenile. Note the shorter and straighter bill than in adults.
Formative (or First Alternate) Plumage (subspecies epops).
Study is needed on replacement of upperwing coverts during the Preformative Molt; here some median coverts are possibly replaced and contrast with worn visible greater coverts. The tertials all appear to be juvenile in this bird, and note also the narrow, worn, and brownish primaries and rectrices.
Possible First Alternate Plumage (subspecies epops).
The brighter looking feathers of the loral region, neck, and upper back may be indicative of First Alternate Plumage, but study is needed. A protracted Preformative Molt could also result in this appearance. The brown, narrow, and tapered outer primaries and rectrices are juvenile feathers and indicate a first-year bird.
Possible First Alternate Plumage (subspecies epops).
Here note the newer back feathers and scapulars contrasting with the more worn tertials and wing coverts. The rectrices appear to be juvenile and the bill is shorter and straighter than those of adults, indicating a first-year bird. Whether or not the newer feathers are formative or first alternate, contrasting with juvenile feathers requires further study, as does extent of secondary covert replacement during Preformative Molt, especially in birds that appear to replace no tertials during this molt.
Possible Definitive Alternate Plumage (subspecies epops).
The brighter looking feathers of the neck and upper back may be indicative of Definitive Alternate Plumage but study is needed. The uniformly basic wing feathers and broad and blackish (though worn at the tips) rectrices indicate definitive plumage.
Definitive Basic (or Alternate) Plumage (subspecies epops).
Definitive Basic Plumage is separated from Formative Plumage by having uniformly basic wing and tail feathers, which are basally black (with buff or white bands), becoming slightly brown at the tips when worn (as here). The outer primaries and rectrices are broader than in juvenile feathers and truncated rather than tapered or rounded at the tips. Alternate plumages may occur in April (see First and Definitive Alternate Plumages); study is needed.
Definitive Basic (or Alternate) Plumage (subspecies epops).
Note the uniformly basic wing coverts and remiges, boldly black and white in pattern. The rectrices are also jet black with a bold white band.
Definitive Basic (or Alternate) Plumage (subspecies epops).
Note the blackish, broad, and truncate rectrices, the central feathers a bit browner with wear due to increased exposure. The primaries are also broad and more truncated at the tips than juvenile feathers.
Presumed Male (above) and Female (below) Eurasian Hoopoe in Definitive Basic or Alternate Plumage (subspecies ceylonensis).
In definitive plumage(s), sexes show slight differences, with Females averaging duller crest feathers, heads, and breasts, tending toward tan or dull cinnamon, and Males having brighter crests, more saturated cinnamon to orangish head feathers, and deeper pinkish or vinaceous breasts. The black and broad flight feathers indicate Definitive Basic Plumage for both of these birds, so the differences in plumage are not related to age or subspecies. Many mated pairs can be reliably sexed by plumage appearance, as here.
Female in Definitive Basic Plumage (subspecies epops).
Note the duller head and breast feathering, the latter without vinaceous coloration. Within subspecies, extremes appear to be reliably sexed, but age and plumage wear have to be considered; most single birds are likely not reliably sexed.
Bird completing Preformative Molt (subspecies epops or ceylonensis).
The Preformative Molt can be protracted into January on nonbreeding grounds for northern-breeding migratory populations. Here note rectrices being replaced in irregular sequence, with r2 and r4 in molt and r3 the last feather to be replaced. The limit between tertials and outer secondaries, the brown tapered juvenile primary tips, and the narrow and brown unmolted juvenile rectrices indicate this to be the Preformative Molt.
Bird with suspended Second Prebasic Molt (probably subspecies epops).
Molt can commence on breeding grounds and be suspended for migration. Here note that the inner four primaries (p1–p4) have been replaced and contrast with brown and worn juvenile outer primaries following a suspended molt for migration. Suspension may occur more commonly in birds that skip or fail breeding, perhaps more so in yearlings undergoing the Second Prebasic Molt.
Bird undergoing Definitive Prebasic Molt (subspecies epops).
Images of birds undergoing active primary molt are rare, indicating they are retiring at this time and molt may occur at secluded locations, perhaps primarily during November–February on nonbreeding grounds. Here note distal primary molt has reached p4, with p5–p10 older and browner, and that secondary molt has reached s2 and s7, with s3–s6 older and browner. The outer rectrix has been replaced prior to r4 and r3. The generally broad and truncate unmolted primaries and rectrices indicate basic feathers and that this is a Definitive rather than the Second Prebasic Molt.
Adult (subspecies epops).
In adults, the bill is long, decurved, and blackish, growing paler basally, with a pinkish base to the mandible. The iris is dark brown and the orbital skin is pinkish gray. The legs and feet are dark gray with a pinkish tinge to the undersides of the feet, and the claws are dark gray with paler tips.
Adult (subspecies ceylonensis).
The gape and inside of the mouth in adults can be bright pink. Note also the dark iris (often appearing blackish in the field), pink base to the mandible, and grayish legs and feet.
Adult (left) and Juvenile (right; subspecies epops).
In juveniles, the bill is short and straight and the gape can remain swollen and yellow from the nestling period. In the adult, note the long grayish bill with a pinkish base, and that the tops of the feet are pinkish as can occur in some birds. The iris is dark brown at all ages.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops africana): Male in Flight.
Note the nearly solid white patch on the secondaries and lack of white on the primaries.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops senegalensis Group): Flight.
Note that on birds from Central Africa, there are black markings within the white secondary patch, and more notably, they have a broad white bar across the distal primaries, similar to birds of the nominate epops group.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops epops Group): Flight.
The wing pattern of this Upupa epops longirostris is the same as that of other taxa within the nominate subspecies group. Note the barred inner wing and white stripe across the outer primaries.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops africana): Female, Wings Spread.
The secondary pattern of the female African subspecies (africana) of the Eurasian Hoopoe is intermediate between that of the Central African subspecies group and the nominate subspecies group, but note the lack of white on the primaries, a character unique, among Eurasian Hoopoe, to Upupa epops africana.
Upupa epops epops, Lateral View.
Upupa epops epops, Frontal View.
Upupa epops epops, Dorsal View.
Upupa epops major, Lateral View.
Note the relatively pale coloration and grayish upperparts as well as the narrow white tail band.
Upupa epops major, Frontal View.
Note the thick blackish streaking on the belly and relatively thick bill.
Upupa epops major, Dorsal View.
Note the dull grayish upperparts and relatively thick bill.
Upupa epops ceylonensis, Lateral View.
Upupa epops ceylonensis, Frontal View.
Upupa epops ceylonensis, Dorsal View.
Upupa epops longirostris, Lateral View.
Note the lack of white just proximal to the crest's black tips.
Upupa epops longirostris, Frontal View.
Upupa epops longirostris, Dorsal View.
Note the lack of white just proximal to the crest's black tips.
Upupa epops senegalensis, Lateral View.
Upupa epops senegalensis, Frontal View.
Upupa epops senegalensis, Dorsal View.
Upupa epops waibeli, Dorsal View.
African Hoopoe, Upupa epops africana, Adult Male Lateral View.
Note the extensive white on the secondaries, which eliminates nominate Upupa epops epops. The mantle, auriculars and chest are orange, not gray, as in a female.
African Hoopoe, Upupa epops africana, Adult Male Frontal View.
Note the extensive white on the secondaries, which eliminates nominate Upupa epops epops. The mantle, chest, and auriculars are orange, not gray, as in a female.
African Hoopoe, Upupa epops africana, Adult Male Dorsal View.
Note the extensive white on the secondaries, which eliminates nominate Upupa epops epops. The mantle and auriculars are orange, not gray, as in a female.
African Hoopoe, Upupa epops africana, Adult Female, Lateral View.
The gray auricular patch, grayish chest, and gray mantle mark this African Hoopoe as a female. Also, note the lack of a white secondary patch. Other subspecies of Eurasian Hoopoe lack such a well-demarcated auricular patch.
African Hoopoe, Upupa epops africana, Adult Female, Frontal View.
The gray auricular patch and grayish wash to the chest identify this African Hoopoe as a female. The relatively short bill mark it as a juvenile or immature.
African Hoopoe, Upupa epops africana, Adult Female, Frontal View.
The gray auricular patch identify this bird as a female Upupa epops africana. Note the lack of white subterminal spots on the crest feathers, which also distinguish it from Upupa epops epops.
Bird (nominate epops) on Breeding Grounds.
Pair (subspecies africana) on Breeding Grounds.
Courtship feeding on South African breeding grounds.
Bird (nominate epops) on Nonbreeding Grounds.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops epops): Extralimital.
This Eurasian Hoopoe in England is almost certainly a spring overshoot, and one that has found prime habitat. Pastures often have relatively soft soil for easy probing and abundant subterranean insects to feed upon.
Eurasian Hoopoe: Vagrant.
One of two or three records from Australia. This bird spent much of its time on a grassy lawn-like field.
Bird on short grass.
Across the range, and around the year, the Eurasian Hoopoe favors areas with lawns and pastures.
Bird foraging in grassland during breeding season; İstanbul, Türkiye.
Breeding habitat; Faro, Portugal.
Bird flying during nonbreeding season; Bagmati, Nepal.
Bird foraging during nonbreeding season; Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Bird foraging during nonbreeding season; Ghardaïa, Algeria.
Bird foraging.
This adult is probing deep into litter-covered soft soil in a city park. Its "gaping" behavior cannot be seen in this photo.
Bird foraging.
The Eurasian Hoopoe like sandy soil and often use sandy tracks through more vegetated habitats.
Bird feeding.
A food item is tossed into the air before being caught in the mouth.
Bird feeding on a caterpillar.
Bird with with Eurasian Mole-Cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa).
Bird feeding on a beetle.
Bird feeding on insect.
Bird feeding on spider.
Adult carrying a small lizard.
Bird flying.
Bird Preening.
This bird is preening at its uropygial gland, wherefrom it gains fluid to apply to its feathers at large.
Adult in "Spread-Eagle" Sunbathing Position.
Adult Male Singing.
Bird at Potential Nest Site.
This adult is standing at the edge of a potential nest hole; given the date, its nest site for the year has probably not yet been chosen.
Nest Site with Young
The most common site for a Eurasian Hoopoe nest is a tree hollow such as this.
Bird at Nest Site.
Rock walls often have gaps suitable for a Eurasian Hoopoe nest.
Bird at Nest Site.
This Eurasian Hoopoe chose to nest under the eaves of a roof, a common choice.
Bird at Nest Site.
The Eurasian Hoopoe often nests in sandy banks, this one happening to be part of a dam.
Bird at Nest Site.
This fence provided enough of a cavity for a nest.
Adult Flying to Nest with Food.
This adult is bringing a European mole cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) to its nest to feed either young or mate.
Apparent Family Group.
Two adults foraging in close association with three fledglings. While a study from Switzerland found that only males fed fledglings, this observation suggests that some family groups may stay intact for a longer period of time.
Adult feeding fledgling.
Adult feeding fledgling.
Dead bird from vehicle collision.
Israel's National Bird: Eurasian Hoopoe.
This very approachable Eurasian Hoopoe in a Tel-Aviv city park paused for its photograph to be taken.
Macaulay Library Photos for Eurasian Hoopoe
Top-rated photos submitted to the Macaulay Library via eBird. Note: Our content editors have not confirmed the species identification for these photos.
