Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – African Hoopoe

Kloof Conservancy
THIS is one bird that is very easy to identify because there is no other bird quite like it. It has an unmistakable long, thin beak, bright rufous colouring with striking black and white wing feathers and a distinctive crest that it raises quite spectacularly when in flight or alarmed.

The African Hoopoe’s call is a repetitive “hooo-pooo” that is sung five times or more, hence the onomatopoeic name hoopoe.

Size
It is about the size of a dove, between 25cm to 29cm with a wingspan of up to 48cm and a weight of 57 grams. Their beak is their most important tool and is used for a variety of tasks. It is unusually long and thin for a bird this size. The slight bend in its beak allows it to dig through vegetation and into the ground to find insects.

Behaviour
The African Hoopoe isn’t a sociable bird and is generally found either on its own or in pairs. There are occasionally small, loose flocks seen during the migration season.

The Hoopoe is very defensive of its nest area and the beaks are used aggressively in fights to defend their territory. The beaks are also used to pick-up winged insects and beat them on a suitable hard surface, such as a rock, to break off the bits they do not want to eat, such as the insect’s wings.

ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Hadeda Ibis

Habitat
It enjoys thornveld and riverine woodlands but also enjoys feeding on the ground and that is where it is most often spotted. In the Upper Highway, it is often seen in gardens and parks searching for insects in lawns and short grasses.

Distribution
The Hoopoe is fairly common across sub-Saharan Africa and it can be found in most parts of South Africa, except the very dry regions of the Karroo.

Diet
They mainly eat insects, such as beetles, but will opportunistically take small lizards. They scratch around on the ground, moving leaves and sticks with their long sharp beaks. They will also eat seeds and, occasionally, even berries.

Breeding
They are monogamous, but the partnership usually only lasts for the breeding season and then find new mates for the next season. The Hoopoe has an unusual courtship ritual that involves the male finding a juicy insect and presenting it to the female as a nuptial gift.

They make their nest in any suitable cavity and sometimes take over a hollow made by woodpeckers or barbets. They will also nest in a hollow in buildings. The nest site is selected by the male and the female lays four to seven eggs, which she incubates for up to 16 days. Both parents are involved in feeding the chicks.

They are not great on nest hygiene and as the adults do not remove the chicks droppings, so the nest becomes very smelly!

ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – The Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Threats
The species has a healthy population and is listed as ‘least concern’. They are prey to some raptors, but their biggest threat is from snakes.

Interesting facts
The Hoopoe is the national bird of Israel.

There is a very similar species of Hoopoe in Europe where folklore says that hearing a singing hoopoe before wine is pressed will foretell a good vintage.

Visit www.kloofconservancy.org.za or follow the NPO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KloofConservancy

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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