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Description
Photo: Arnold Sciberras
Scientific name: Upupa epops
Maltese name: Daqquqa tat-Toppu
status locally: Frequent, non breeding migrant
Occurrence locally: practically seen mostly in winter and spring, mostly, rarely seen in summer, less so in Autumn.
habitat: open countryside
other info: an unmistakable solitary species, with a butterfly flight. The only member in its family Upupidae, which consists also of other extinct Hoopoe species. it feeds mainly on insects, but occasionally, small reptiles and frogs, and berries also form part of its diet. during mating season, it is monogamous but the pair only stay together until they raise their young. Fights between Hoopoes can be brutal. they produce a foul smell when their nest is threatened by predators. due to its Beauty, it had a cultural impact in some countries.

Description
Photo: Arnold Sciberras
Scientific name: Upupa epops
Maltese name: Daqquqa tat-Toppu
status locally: Frequent, non breeding migrant
Occurrence locally: practically seen mostly in winter and spring, mostly, rarely seen in summer, less so in Autumn.
habitat: open countryside
other info: an unmistakable solitary species, with a butterfly flight. The only member in its family Upupidae, which consists also of other extinct Hoopoe species. it feeds mainly on insects, but occasionally, small reptiles and frogs, and berries also form part of its diet. during mating season, it is monogamous but the pair only stay together until they raise their young. Fights between Hoopoes can be brutal. they produce a foul smell when their nest is threatened by predators. due to its Beauty, it had a cultural impact in some countries.