The hoopoe is a former breeding bird of old, semi-open cultivated landscapes on sandy soils. It nests in cavities of trees, walls, cairns and wooden structures. Hoopoes forage on large insects and their larvae in sparse vegetation with many clearings and in lightly fertilised grasslands. Light pink/brown plumage with black and white banded wings. Large crest, like a beautiful ornament, which can be raised to communicate all kinds of emotions. Has a butterfly-like flight and forages on the ground. Black, long bill curved slightly downwards. he hoopoe is on the Red List of Dutch breeding birds as 'Vanished in the Netherlands'. The hoopoe is a critical species that depends on very extensive agriculture in a rich old cultural landscape with many old trees, dilapidated structures, etc. The likelihood of resettlement in the Netherlands is therefore not high. Protection in France, Germany and Poland is essential if the hoopoe is ever to return as a breeding bird, but even there agricultural intensification is the dominant trend, including pesticides that control large insects.
Ik ben John Smits, geboren in 1962 en sinds 1993 getrouwd. Ik heb een eigen studio in Gouda. IK ben ook regelmatig op pad om de prachtigste foto's te maken.. Read more…