Eurasian Hoopoe, 3/5/2012

Heard that four Hoopoes recently appeared in the park, we took an extra trip to the park, when we were on our way to shoot a Goosander in the wetland. While we were looking for birds in the park, a group of thrushes came into view. When I was about to aim at one thrush, this big Hoopoe suddenly came into view on my left hand side, searching for foods on the ground. Immediately I turned my focus to this Hoopoe, and took shots as quickly as I can, while one of our buddies took several hundred shots. After totally several hundred shots fired by us, this Hoopoe finally noticed our existence and flew away. We followed for a while, before it flew away.

Hoopoe is rarely seen in Taiwan, and only appeared in northern coast, northeast coast, and Yilan County. It appear all year round in south China and Kinmen County. The photos are somewhat out of focus. If the photos hurt your eye, I appologize.

Chinese name:	戴勝
English name:	Eurasian Hoopoe, Hoopoe
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Upupa epops
Order:	Upupiformes
Family:	Upupidae
Species status:	Subspecies
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Transit bird in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Rare in Taiwan
Foods:	Worms, lizards, insects
Habitat:	Grasslands, dry farm fields
Altitude:
Behavior:	Appear alone or in flocks
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 30 cm long, long slim bended mouth, light brown mouth base, blackly brown mouth end, yellowy brwon "crown" feathers on head top with black color at the end of the crown feathers, deep or light brown color in the neck, breast and back areas, light white stomach, wings and tail wing are black and white interleaved, black feet, same with male and female.
Breeding places:	Afro-Eurasia, and appear all year round in south China and Kinmen County.
Migration destinations:	Move south in Winter, some stay in Taiwan area between late Febrary and early April
Time photographed:	2012/3/5 13:52 pm
Location found:	Jinshan District, New Taipei City
Sources:	Internet
Notes: