African Hoopoe
My favourite fun fact
African Hoopoes can close their nostrils while probing in the ground, preventing dirt and sand from entering their beaks as they search for food.
Scientific name
Upupa africana
Afrikaans name
Hoepoe
Description
A striking and unmistakable bird with warm cinnamon-brown plumage, bold black-and-white striped wings and tail, and a prominent fan-shaped crest that it raises when excited or alarmed. Its long, curved bill is perfectly adapted for probing the ground in search of food.
Habitat
Found in open woodlands, savannas, gardens, parks and agricultural areas throughout much of Southern Africa, particularly where there is short grass and scattered trees.
Interesting behaviour
