Upupa epops

What a strange looking character, but an excellent shot...  Mike

Hi Mike- Thank you for the compliment. As you have interest in ornitology you might want to look these sites, where the national bird of Israel is described in detail :) ,which was news to me as well..

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/hoopoe-upupa-epops

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe

 enjoy – br Hannu

I like this one better than the other you posted!

Kathy - Thank you for your comment ! I do agree of the preference, however this bird does not stop for a long time and the other one completes the portrait series by giving idea of the food it consumes - which is mostly insects, seeds and even small lizards. Hope to deliver more photos of this fascinating bird.  br Hannu

This chappie is quite prolific throughout South Africa, in fact we had a pair that took up residence in our garden in Johannesburg, many years ago (when I lived over there). Their long beaks allow them to "burrow" into the grass for earthworms and insects. The upper torso/neck/head  can become a bright orange during the summer months.

You have captured him well, in fact, better than the image in my Southern African book of birds.

Well done...........

Best regards

Hi Grayham – Thank you for your kind words. I am happy to learn more about this interesting bird, which has very interesting habits and seems to have fairly good memory (places for finding food, timing secure feeding etc.). I noticed some color changes between the male and female but the late summer changes remain to be seen. I am glad that the time spent to learn the habits of this bird has produced an image that you consider better than your bird book:-) thank You for that - All the best - Hannu