Field note 03
Hoopoe
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Eurasian hoopoe · Pupuķis
Upupa epops
- Found in Latvia?
- Yes · local summer breeder
- Habitat
- Open, sunny ground with short vegetation and nearby nesting cavities.
- Diet
- Large insects and their larvae, taken mainly from the soil.
Appearance and behaviour
The Eurasian hoopoe has a pinkish-brown body, black-and-white wings, and a fan-shaped crest that is usually folded back. Its long, slightly curved bill is used to probe the ground for insects and larvae. The broad wings produce a distinctive, undulating flight.
The repeated, low “oop-oop-oop” call carries surprisingly well. Hoopoes nest in holes in trees, walls, and other structures. Nestlings can defend themselves with foul-smelling secretions, a detail generally omitted from descriptions of the bird’s elegance.
Occurrence in Latvia
A local summer breeder in Latvia. Sandy areas, open woodland, and sparsely vegetated ground provide suitable feeding habitat where nest cavities are also available.
Further reading: Latvian bird records.
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