Hoopoe

Description:

The hoopoe is a medium sized bird, 25–32 cm long, with a 44–48 cm wingspan. The species is highly distinctive, with a long, thin tapering bill that is black with a fawn base. The strengthened musculature of the head allows the bill to be opened when probing inside the soil. The hoopoe has broad and rounded wings capable of strong flight. The striking distinctive feature of Hoopoes is this feather crown. While hunting, the crest is depressed and sticks out behind the head, but it is erected when the Hoopoe’s suspicions are aroused or when landing after a flight.

Habitat:

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park. Divided into 5 blocks, the park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons. One block is currently opened to the public. Situated in Sri Lanka’s south-east hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and was designated a national park in 1938. Ironically, the park was initially used as a hunting ground for the elite under British rule. Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species.

Notes:

Our first spotting of Hoopoes that day. This one was not alone but the other one was even more in the bushes. They were foraging on the jungle floor. Luckily later that day we saw one sand bathing and we got some more pictures. ( those will follow soon)