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Project Noah Nature School
Upupa epops
This Hoopoe spent about an hour probing in these nests for caterpillers before moving down to the ground for dessert!
Normally feed on the ground but this one was probing the nests of the Processionary Pine Caterpillar
Not sure why the last picture repeats when you add six!
Spotted on Jan 18, 2011
Submitted on Mar 24, 2011
15 Comments
One of my first PN spottings before the missions existed, I have also added it to the animal feeding habits mission and my Birds of Iberia mission.
Please consider adding this spotting to the Animal Architecture mission at http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8082...
Nice series, Malcolm
Another reason I like this bird, it is a natural predator of the pine processionary.
fantastic Malcolm,great information,i make not idea of this resistence from Hoopoe,it's urgente to proctet more this bird,in portugal is completly protected by law,nobody chase them,it's a bird that people like
Nice group
Malcolm... If you reduce brightness of all first four pictures of this wonderful bird..!!
I see these birds in flight at a lot, but am still trying to get a photo of one too. Not long ago, one landed, crest open for a while, only a few metres from me. And I didn't have my camera to hand. :(( A great series of shots, though. Thanks for sharing!
yes, I've been hiding with the camera for the whole afternoon but my neighbor is start thinking that I'm some kind of maniac....
and you are right, they do open the crest after landing!
Fantastic..
They are very wary birds and usually fly off before you can get near, you need to hide behind something and be patient. I am still waiting to get the chance to photograph one with the crest fully open, usually only for a couple of seconds after landing.
A stunning looking bird!
I've been chasing this guy for a month. they were used to make the nest right on my house wall, but then the dogs scared them out. this bird is very hard to spot, every time he sees me (even 50 mt far), he just flyes away... but I will get it, soon or late. it is a very common bird in the Etna area/countryside.
Pretty sure I'm in love with this bird.
What a wonderful series.