Upupa epops

La palput en la montanya canta i diu la veritat: quan les cabres faran llana, les dònes faran bondat.

I still remember the first time I saw a Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops, it must not have been 10 years old yet, it stopped in front of me. While keeping a safe distance, as it walked, it stuck its long beak into holes in the ground, looking for invertebrates such as earwigs, spiders, worms, crickets, caterpillars and others… I was amazed watching its movements and above all, how it ruffled the feathers on its head. When it took flight it looked like a giant butterfly, gracefully moving its showy, rounded wings, while describing undulating movements in the air. I was amazed, it looked like a tropical bird with its white striped colours printed on a black background.

The Eurasian Hoopoe is an insectivorous bird measuring 25 to 29 cm in length. It is orange on the upper part of its body, and has black wings and tail with white stripes, like its crest, and a long, thin and slightly curved beak.

Diurnal and solitary, it lives in open areas, orchards and forests, avoiding high mountain areas. It makes its nest in holes in old trees and old houses. The nest is very simple, made with only some grass or twigs. The female lays between 5-7 eggs and incubates them for about 16-19 days. The chicks begin to fly after about 4 weeks. As the chicks grow, the nest fills with faeces and smells bad.

It is a summer bird that until a few years ago spent the winter in Africa, but due to climate change it has more food resources and most individuals no longer migrate.

Its song is very easy to identify, as it goes pu-pu-put and repeats it many times from the ground. Although its population is high, a decrease has been observed in recent years, probably due to the reduction of dry agricultural areas. It is also a species that is affected by the widespread use of insecticides and pesticides.

Now at the gates of spring, we can only hope to be lucky enough to see it flying across the countryside with its characteristic and striking flight.

Playing your song: