Hoopoe have a distinctive call

And very exotic plumage. Have you heard something unusual in the woods? A ‘hoop, hoop, hoop’ noise? Or seen this unmistakable, exotic-looking bird, with pinky-brown feathers, striking black-and-white striped wings, a long bill, and a large, black-tipped crest?This is the Hoopoe bird, scientifically known as Upupa epops, an attractive bird against the green foliage of Portugal’s trees and grassy areas. When it ‘hoops’, its long, downcurved beak dips, and they raise their striking crest that becomes a spectacular crown when the bird is excited, alarmed, or landing. While the ‘hooping’ you hear is primarily to attract mates and defend their territory, they also make raspy croaks when alarmed, mechanical rattles, and hisses.ResidentThey are commonly found in the milder regions of southern Iber