When will the hoopoe be protected from extinction?

The Hoopoe (in English: Hoopoe) is considered a rare bird. It has a distinctive crest on its head, with light brown coloring and a brown crest tipped with black feathers. Its lower half is black with white feather markings in a beautiful pattern. It has a unique way of flying and feeds on insects. It is often seen individually in agricultural areas and is considered a friend of farmers, as it cleans the land from worms, larvae, and pests. Its presence is a sign of a clean environment free from pesticides. It is prohibited to hunt it, similar to the Cattle Egret and the Green Bee-eater, as it is not edible. However, this has not protected it from harm by amateurs and the ignorant, and its once-abundant presence in the Lebanese and southern hills has greatly declined, making sightings rare in those areas.

This bird nests in tree holes, narrow rock crevices, and even in old buildings. The female incubates her eggs for 12–15 days until they hatch. The male feeds the female during incubation and later feeds the chicks. Usually, it raises two chicks per year, which leave the nest after 26–32 days. It has a remarkable ability to detect water underground. The Hoopoe is known for its speed in flight and running. One of its unique traits is its defense mechanism: it can spray a black, oily, foul-smelling secretion from a gland at the base of its tail to repel predators or intruders — even the chicks can do this when they feel threatened.

The bird is graceful and striking in appearance, especially with the feathered crest on the back of its head. It is about 31 cm long, and its colors vary by region — cinnamon-brown (after the spice) or chestnut with black-and-white patterned wings. Its beak is long, curved, and strong; wings are almost circular; legs are short; and tail is square. The crest feathers fan out when the bird is excited, and it puffs its neck feathers when calling. When in danger, it bobs its head.

It feeds in open grasslands and prefers soft insects like worms and larvae, which it picks from soil or rock crevices using its long beak. It also eats small animals such as lizards. It may feed alone or with its mate during the breeding season (especially in spring and summer), and in other times it may feed in groups. It has a black crest, black claws, yellow eyelids, and feeds on grains and worms. It can detect water from a distance and sense its presence underground — when it hovers over a spot, it indicates there is water beneath.