This exotic looking bird is a Hoopoe. I photographed it one Autumn day, a few years ago, on Beechdale Estate.It is about the size of a pigeon, cinnamon/ dusky pink in colour, with black and white wings and back, it's beak is long and slender and it also has a distinctive plume.
Found throughout parts of Europe, Southern Asia and Africa, it is a rare visitor to this country, although they may be occasionally seen along the south coast in Spring time. To see one here in Bloxwich was a rarity, or was it?
This is the second sighting of this species in the same area, one being identified a few years prior to this on Bentley, around Junction 10, of the M6. Which is quite remarkable!
It's diet being made up of primarily insects, which are obtained by probing around with that long beak into the ground and dunghills. (Lovely)
Despite its natural beauty, it is notable that this is somewhat unclean in home and habits. It's nest, gives off an awful odour, this is down to secretions of the bird's oil glands and a failure to clean the nest of excrement.
If you are visiting Europe, Turkey or Egypt for your holidays, keep an eye out for this bird, it has a distinctive flight and despite it's dirty reputation, it still remains one of the most prettiest of birds.
If you have seen something a little different in this locality, why not tell us about it? We would love to hear from you.
Papillion
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