Madagascar Hoopoe
Upupa marginata
Unmistakable orange, black, and white bird with a long crest that can be erected or flattened on the head. Shows a striking black-and-white pattern in floppy butterfly-like flight. Found throughout Madagascar in spiny forest, dry deciduous forest, scrub, and plantations at low and middle elevations. Scarce in the east and center. Feeds on the ground, usually in pairs. Nests in tree cavities. The song is a long, hollow trill.
Identification
The adult Madagascar hoopoe is about 32 cm (12.6 in) long and weighs 57 to 91 g (2.0 to 3.2 oz). It has a long, decurved bill, and cinnamon-coloured plumage, the wings being boldly barred in black and white. The tail is black and a long, cinnamon crest with black-tipped feathers can be raised when the bird is alarmed. The wings are broad and rounded; the characteristic flight consists of a few beats after which the wings are folded momentarily and the bird glides, before resuming flapping. The female is slightly duller in colour than the male, with less white on the wings. Compared to the African hoopoe, it is larger, has a longer tail and a pinker throat. The song differs markedly from the African hoopoe's "hoop-hoop-hoop", being described as "a low cooing trill rrrrrrooow, dropping slightly, lasting 1.5–2.5 seconds, repeated every 3–10 seconds".
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Upupa marginata
- Authority
- Cabanis & Heine, 1860
- Order
- Bucerotiformes
- Family
- Upupidae
- Genus
- Upupa
Range and habitat
The Madagascar hoopoe is endemic to Madagascar where its range includes the north, west, central and southern parts of the country, while it is largely absent from the east. It inhabits the edges of forests, clearings, glades, savannah, pasture and brushland.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Madagascar hoopoe usually occurs alone or in pairs, foraging on the ground, walking a few steps and then looking around, bobbing its head, probing the soil and leaf litter with its beak, picking items off the surface of the ground, probing dung and investigating crevices. Its diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles and flies and their larvae, grasshoppers and caterpillars. When disturbed it may fly to a horizontal branch where it perches, flashing its wings and raising and lowering its crest.<p>This species is monogamous and territorial. Breeding takes place between August and December, mostly during October and November. The nest is in a deep cavity in a tree, often within 3 m (10 ft) of the ground. Little nesting material is used and the hole becomes messy and smelly before the young fledge. One nest had a clutch of six bluish-grey eggs. Incubation may possibly be done solely by the female, and the partner has been observed feeding the incubating bird. In other species of hoopoe, the incubation period is 15 to 16 days and the fledging period 26 to 32 days. Both parents are involved in feeding the young.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Large, long-legged bird shaped much like a heron. Gray body, sometimes with intense rusty staining. Adults have red crown. Often in large flocks at migration and wintering concentration points. Favors marshes and agricultural fields where they eat primarily grains. In flight, neck is outstretched, unlike herons with tucked necks. Snappy wingbeats. Listen for far-carrying bugling call.
Amazonian Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium hardyi
Tiny owl of Amazonian lowlands. Found in a variety of habitats, including forest edges and mature rainforest. Gray head contrasts against broad reddish brown streaks down its white belly. Round head without ear tufts and largely white undersides distinguish it from screech-owls. Similar to larger Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, but has a smaller, grayer head, and is less finely streaked. Also note vocal differences; Amazonian Pygmy-owl call is a rapid, slightly descending series of toots too fast to imitate. Sings mostly around dawn and dusk, but also sometimes during the day and at night.
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