Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 139, July 2016, pp. 1-23. | Page 9

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maneuverable, in pursuit of numerous swarming insects. More commonly their
foraging style is to stride over relatively open ground and periodically pause to
probe the ground with the full length of their bill. Insect larvae, pupae and mole
crickets are detected by the bill and either extracted or dug out with the strong
feet. Hoopoes will also feed on insects on the surface, probe into piles of leaves,
and even use the bill to lever large stones and flake off bark. Common diet items
include crickets, locusts, beetles, earwigs, cicadas, ant lions, bugs and ants. These
can range from 10 to 150 mm in length, with a preferred prey size of around 20–
30 mm. Larger prey items are beaten against the ground or a preferred stone to
kill them and remove indigestible body parts such as wings and legs
(Wikipedia).

The Hoopoe (Upupa epops Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gardens of the Sharjah Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Al-Khan Lagoon, Sharjah, UAE. Photo by Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman
Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa. 26.02.2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/16497143430/

Breeding
Hoopoes are monogamous, although the pair bond apparently only lasts for a
single season, and territorial. The male calls frequently to advertise his
ownership of the territory. Chases and fights between rival males (and
sometimes females) are common and can be brutal. Birds will try to stab rivals
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 139 – July 2016