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Hoopoes

Hoopoes are vibrant birds recognized by their feathered crowns, found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe, with existing species including the Eurasian, Madagascar, and African hoopoe, plus a now-extinct Saint Helena species. The Eurasian hoopoe is common and not endangered, despite declining numbers in Western Europe. These birds prefer environments that offer both open ground for foraging and cavities for nesting, ranging across various habitats from heathlands to forests and are adaptable to human-modified landscapes. The hoopoe's diet mainly consists of insects and is a solitary forager, often seen probing the ground with its long bill for prey. These monogamous birds breed in cavities where the female incubates the eggs, and the nestlings have unique defenses including foul-smelling secretions to deter predators. Originally considered conspecific, the hoopoe was divided into different species. Introduced by Linnaeus in 1758, hoopoes belong to the order Bucerotiformes which also includes hornbills. They share a fossil record dating back to the Eocene. Hoopoes are migratory, and their conspicuous presence has impacted cultures and religions; both treasured in Ancient Egypt and depicted as unclean in the Bible. They appear in Islamic texts and were symbolic in ancient Persian literature. The hoopoe was selected as Israel's national bird and often appears in heraldry and academia emblems. Despite its cultural significance, the hoopoe also faces threats, with unregulated trade potentially diminishing local populations, and parts of it are used in folk medicine across various cultures.

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Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
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Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
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We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
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I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
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Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
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A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
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Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
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I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
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