The Species of February 2014

Name: Hoopoe
Scientific name: Upupa epop
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Bucerotiformes
Family: Upupidae

Description
It has vivid colors on the neck (pink-cinnamon) and wings (black with white streaks). It has a long and hard beak that ends in a black nose, while at the top of the head it has a characteristic plume that is usually closed and only unfolds when disturbed.

Spreading
It is known almost all over Europe and in the hot countries of Asia and Africa. He is a summer visitor to Europe and spends the winter in Africa and southern Spain. A migratory bird that passes through Cyprus, however, can remain and lay its eggs on our island. .

Ecology – Behavior
She has a characteristic scream that sounds like “oops-oops” and from there she got her name in the international literature.

It nests in wooded areas in tree trunks, on walls, rock crevices or in ruins. It feeds on worms, insects, snails or small lizards. The female lays 5-8 eggs while the male during the incubation period (15-19 days) is the hunter and carrier of the food.

Other details:
In ancient Egypt it was considered a sacred bird, so it was depicted on the walls of tombs and temples, while in ancient Greek comedy it is mentioned by Aristophanes in “Ornithes” as the king of birds.

Sources:
http://el.wikipedia.org
http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A4%CF%83%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%8C%CF%82
Βιβλίο «Πουλιά της Κύπρου» του Λουκά Χριστοφόρου
Ελληνική Ορνιθολογική Εταιρεία

Image source: 
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Upupa_epops_Madrid_02.jpg/800px-Upupa_epops_Madrid_02.jpg