Eurasian hoopoes? about

Eurasian hoopoes are migratory birds that can be found in Malaysia between September and April.

Recently, this species made headlines when a pair, which was supposed to return to the northern hemisphere, decided to nest at Taiping Lake Gardens in Perak.

This is the second time hoopoes were found breeding in Malaysia. The first time was in Langkawi in 2017.

Hoopoes are widespread in Europe, Africa and Asia. The species is divided into nine sub-species with names depending on the country they are from.

The birds can be easily identified by their bold white stripes, long curved beak and funky feather crown.

In Estonian tradition, the hoopoe is the bird of death. It is a symbol of virtue in Persia. Hoopoes are also mentioned in the Quran and Torah.

The bird is an iconographic on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs and temples. It is also a symbolic code to indicate an heir or successor.

Hoopoes lay up to 10 eggs and maintain a stinky nest, usually inside a tree trunk, to ward off predators.

Hoopoes have a peculiar courtship ritual, where a male will feed the female with insects to woo her.

The bird uses its long beak to forage through vegetation and dig the ground for insects.

The beak is also used for fighting and beating winged insects on a surface to remove unsuitable parts before they are eaten.

Hoopoes love to sun or bathe in sand to warm themselves.