Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 139, July 2016, pp. 1-23. | Page 13

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Hoopoes are distinctive birds and have made a cultural impact over much of
their range. They were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt, and were "depicted
on the walls of tombs and temples". They achieved a similar standing in Minoan
Crete (Wikipidia).
In the Bible, Leviticus 11:13–19, hoopoes were listed among the animals that are
detestable and should not be eaten. They are also listed in Deuteronomy (14:18)
as not kosher (Wikipedia).

The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) ‫ . الهدهد‬Birds of U.A.E. Date of Issue : 25.09.1995.
http://www.birdtheme.org/country/unitarab.html
Hoopoes also appear in the Holy Quran and is known as the "Hudhud", in Surah
Al-Naml 27:20–22: ―And he (Solomon) sought attendance among the birds and
said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent? (20). I will
surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 139 – July 2016