Tuesday 29 March 2022

HOOPOE VISITOR

 Last week Paula and I witnessed some unusual behaviour by a young Hoopoe  which we saw through my studio  window. Usually a very shy and secretive bird, but this Hoopoe just seemed inquisitive, as it walked up and down the roof, and looked through the window. It was a day when I didn't have my camera with me, so here are all the photos Paula took of the Hoopoe with her phone. Enjoy!











































38 comments:

MadSnapper said...

begging for food? he is pretty amazing to me, since I have never even seen a photo of one until today. great job with the phone

Marit said...

Dear Sonjia!

It was a very sweet bird, and I have never seen it before. It did not look afraid at all, and your roof must have been perfect for it. Thank you for sharing the great photos.
Hugs, Marit

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The Hoopoe is the strangest looking bird -- how I would love to see it "in person" . Meanwhile, your pictures are the next-best thing! He looks very much like he would like to come inside your house!! (Not a good idea I'm sure!). Thank you for showing us.

sami niilola said...

Omg, Fantastic visitor. Great photos.

Cloudia said...

I must have wowed five times! Never seen this striking bird and enjoyed doing so very much. Thanks!

Gardens at Waters East said...

Excellent photos of the Hoopoe bird. I have never seen that bird before. Great markings.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Hello Sonjia: Thanks for bring us this fascinating series on a Hoopoe. The quality of images possible from a mobile phone is quite astonishing. I have seen Hoopoes on many occasions, even one feeding young in a hole in the wall of an old farm building, but I know little of their life cycle and breeding biology. I am wondering, however, whether this individual was perhaps seeking a cavity that would make a suitable nest site. It seems to be the time of year when such exploratory behaviour might take place. Regardless of the bird's motivation, it was a wonderful opportunity for you to observe it, and to share with us. Thank you! Hugs from Ontario. David

Jenn Jilks said...

These are quite the birds!

Mike Attwood said...


Its more than 20 years since my only sighting of a hoopoe and like you I didn't have a camera either. Well done Paula. A very interesting post Sonjia, Well done. Take care,
Mike.

Irma said...

Unbelievable that the Hoopoe come so close.
He is probably hungry or thirsty.
Luckily you were able to take nice pictures of it.
Greetings Irma

Nancy Chan said...

Its a beautiful bird which we don't get to see here. Imagine seeing this cute bird trying to look through the window.

Jeanie said...

What a fascinating bird! I've never seen one. He's gorgeous!

Richard Pegler said...

Hi Sonjia. Sorry for the late visit. I recently switched my antivirus from McAfee to Norton, and Norton blocked me from visiting your blog, saying that it was 'dangerous'. I contacted Norton yesterday and got an email today to say that they had reassessed your blog and found it to be safe! I wonder how many other potential visitors you might have lost because of this?

Anyway, to the Hoopoe - What a wonderful bird to have visiting you! I suspect that it was more than a little frustrating for you not to have your camera to hand, but a great relief that Paula was able to capture the event. They are fabulous birds and I have been lucky enough to see one twice. The first time was in northern Spain, where one used to visit the lawn of the apartment that we were staying in. It used to come when the sprinklers had been on. The second time was close to my home here in England. They are a relatively rare visitor to UK, and that one caused a great deal of excitement.

Best wishes - stay safe - - - Richard

Jeevan said...

Nice captures of the Hoopoe, and I liked the shots around the window! I shot a Hoopoe once on one of my travels to the mountains, and yes, we couldn't get near this bird, and when we did, it kept moving away, so we decided to stop and shoot. I like Hoopoe's crest.
Have a nice day

Teresa said...

Una de mis aves favoritas, por aquí se ven bastantes. Hace unos días estaba una comiendo en el jardín. Besos.

Nick Morgan said...

Who needs a camera when you can get such good pictures with a phone!
This reminds me of the Camargue. We used to get hoopoes there. They are lovely birds.

This N That said...

..Sorry..suddenly I am not getting any comments in my email..I don’t know what to do about it..Thanks for visiting..Enjoy your weekend.. I don't have any other way to contact you...

eileeninmd said...

Wow, what a great visitor. I would love to see this Hoopoe! They are cool looking birds. Great post. Have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sonjia,
What a wonderful visitor, the Hoopoe looks as if it wants to come inside the window. This is one bird I would love to see in person. It is a beautiful bird. Great sighting and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

Tom said...

...a Hoopoe is new to me. I looks like a woodpecker of sorts to me. We have a woodpecker that is driving my crazy, it's pecking on our house! Thanks Sonjia for sharing, take care.

Bill said...

What a cute bird, never seen one like this before. Thanks for sharing.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

To have it come to the window is really funny! But boy, it really blends in to it's surroundings outside. You have to look again to see it!

Penelope Notes said...

I wonder what the little bird is thinking as it peeks through the glass. It’s adorable beak looks quite useful. :)

RedPat said...

That is such an exotic bird to these eyes. The pics are great.

Lea said...

Great photos!
Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog!

Linda said...

That is a neat-looking bird with a cool name!

Hootin Anni said...

Incredible series!!

Thanks for linking & sharing!
~Anni @ I'd rather B Birdin'

Amila said...

It's a very beautiful, colourful and decorative bird :) I've never seen a hoopoe before. Glad Paula had a camera and a nice job done! So we can enjoy all these beautiful moments with hoopoe.

Debbie said...

such a cutie and your images are wonderful!! how cool to see him right at the window!! it looks a little like a "jail bird"!! hehehe

Bob Bushell said...

Hi Sonjia
Fantastic shots of Hoopoe, I can't get one.

Mae Travels said...

I love hoopoes -- especially when they display their crest. I've seen them in several locations around the Mediterranean. They look almost like cartoons! You are lucky that this one likes your space.

best...mae at maefood.blogspot.com

carol l mckenna said...

Awesome and sweet bird ~ wonderful photos ~ Xo

Wishing you love and laughter in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Powell River Books said...

What an interesting bird, especially the head and beak. - Margy

HWIT BLOGG said...

Great photos of the lovely bird! Interesting! I guess he/she was a bit hungry :)
Have a beautiful week and take care...
Titti

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Hello Sonija. I thought I'd commented before but don't see it here. I loved seeing this fascinating bird -- definitely a new one for me. Hoopoe -- I hope I can remember that name.! How I'd love to see it in person. A lovely post -- I like seeing (and taking picturies of birds when they're just sitting still, but the pictures that show some of their behavior (like this post) are the best. Thank you!!!

Rostrose said...

Oh, what a wonderful visitor that is! I've never seen a hoopoe in nature - and I'm very happy that Paula managed to take such good photos with her cell phone! I could also imagine that the bird was looking for a breeding place - or maybe there are insects around your roof that it likes to eat?
Much love and have a nice weekend
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/04/marz-rückblick-bad-voslau-und-mein.html

Lowcarb team member said...

What a joy to see these photographs, a lovely bird.

All the best Jan

Yvonne said...

Sorry it has taken me awhile to see this post. This is a strange looking bird to me, that you're obviously used to seeing. Very beautiful and so much different from birds I view here in Tennessee.

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