Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 140, August 2016, pp. 1-21. | Page 6

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A Hoopoe at the Gaza Sea Shore near the Fishermen Port, Gaza, Palestine. Photo by my
friend the Researcher Ayman Dardouna from Gaza, Palestine. 19.11.2014.
Hoopoe is easily recognized because of its colorful feathers. Bird is cinnamon to
chestnut in color, with white and black stripes on the wings and tail. It has
prominent, upright crest on its head (Soft Schools).
Hoopoe has long and strong black beak. It is curved and adapted for the feeding
on the ground.
Hoopoe eats different type of insects, small reptiles, snails, frogs, seeds, berries
and other types of plant materials.
Hoopoe has very muscular bill which can be opened while stuck in the ground
when the bird is looking for food.
Hoopoe enjoys bathing on the sun and in the dust. During sunbathing, hoopoe
takes specific position: it tilts its head back and spread its wings and tail above
the ground.
Subspecies of hoopoe that live in temperate climate belong to group of migratory
species. They have large and muscular wings, which are required for the
prolonged flights.
Hoopoe is characterized by undulating flight. Movement of its wings resembles
the movement of the wings of a butterfly (Soft Schools).
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 140 – August 2016