Finally a hoopooe!

[Cowgirl]

Know this is a Uk forum but I just cant help but share my experience. Just back from my hols in rural SW France where my sisters had hired a cottage, which overlooked a dale. Couldn't believe the wildlife, despite the poor weather, I didn't even have to go looking for it.

My bestest moment was a hoopoe landing on the garden only a few feet from where we were sitting on the patio. Sister screamed there was a parrot on the grass (cos it had raised its crest) & it promptly flew off, however I still got a good look at it. Marvellous bird & one I've always wanted to see.

There was loads of birds of prey as well, buzzards & the like & I'm not sure cos the binoculors weren't very good, but there might have been ravens(?) looked bigger than crows & the beaks were black, also an otter ran across the road in front of us when driving back one afternoon. Obviously just had lunch from the local carp/fish farm.

Truly a great wildlife holiday especially as I was least expecting it to be.

[Jonners]

Well done Cowgirl. I remember seeing my first Hoopoe in Cyprus a couple of years ago... such impressive birds, and saw lots in Portugal last year. Still one of my favourite birds. It's always a bonus to see some great wildlife when holidaying abroad, and it sounds like you did just that. Well done again .

[htcdude]

Nice one they're cracking birds, shame they haven't really established themselves here.....yet...

Nige

[Bill S]

Sorry to jump in here but I'm also on hols in SW France and believe I saw a Hoopoe. About the size of a greater spotted woodpecker, but with the crest folded down it looked like it has 2 beaks. I only saw it in silhouette so can't be sure. Is there anything else which looks similar (apart from the crest on a lapwing I can't think of anything).

Many thanks in advance

Bill

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Bill S

Sorry to jump in here but I'm also on hols in SW France and believe I saw a Hoopoe. About the size of a greater spotted woodpecker, but with the crest folded down it looked like it has 2 beaks. I only saw it in silhouette so can't be sure. Is there anything else which looks similar (apart from the crest on a lapwing I can't think of anything).

Many thanks in advance

Bill

Hoopoe fits your description, they're pretty unique. And actually part of the same family as Kingfishers

[John B (NTS)]

Originally Posted by Bill S

Sorry to jump in here but I'm also on hols in SW France and believe I saw a Hoopoe. About the size of a greater spotted woodpecker, but with the crest folded down it looked like it has 2 beaks. I only saw it in silhouette so can't be sure. Is there anything else which looks similar (apart from the crest on a lapwing I can't think of anything).

Many thanks in advance

Bill

Yep, when they trot along rooftops and their heads appear in silhoutte just above the ridgeline they look like walking claw hammers.......

[Cowgirl]

Thanks for your kind replies, thought i might get in trouble for talking about it in a Uk forum.

Bill, sounds like it was one. I was near Le Bugue, hope your weather is better than mine was, however the bird more than made up for it, still have a warm glowy feeling .