Hoopoe

Hoopoe, any bird of the genus Upupa, with six species, constituting the family Upupidee. They are semi-terrestrial birds allied to the Hornbills in structure, feeding on insects, and most abundant in the Ethiopian region, though they extend into Europe and Asia. II. epops, the common Hoopoe, was formerly British, but is now only a visitor. The male is about a foot long, with finely variegated plumage of white, buff, and black, with a very large erectile crest. The colours of the female are a little less intense than of her mate. The cry of the bird (lioo-hoo-koo) seems to have given it its name in most languages.