Interesting balcony visitor
26Saturday 11 April, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Ok then oh wise friends of the ornithology persuasion, what’s this beauty then? I was sat there at the dining room table and saw a beautiful bird fly past the balcony window and then settle on the railing, some two metres from the window.
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Forgive the graininess of the images, but there was no way I could open the sliding balcony door to get a decent photo, so these were taken through the rather dirty glass!
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I thought it was some sort of woodpecker, but thanks to all the advice… yep, I now know its a Hoopoe – live n learn !
I had tried a Google Image search, but guess what it said, a flippin’ tiger (see below), but even I know that was wrong 🙂
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Uncle Spike's Adventures 
Beautiful! I’ve never seen such a bird, maybe its regional. I would have guessed a woodpecker too.
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Seems to be native to southern Europe and Asia, hence, here 🙂 I’m learning everyday
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Definitiely a Hoopoe – related to Rollers and Kingfishers rather than woodpeckers. Like woodpeckers they do tend to nest in holes in trees but I believe it’s usually a hole someone else made first!
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Many thanks for that – always fun to learn!
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I am cracking up over that image search. What a cool bird, though.
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Was a tad strange!
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Pretty sure it’s a hoopoe. Cool spot Spike! http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/h/hoopoe/
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Seems so…. I was quite honoured…
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I absolutely love birds. In the wild. I would never keep one in a cage. This one is gorgeous and I have no idea who he is. I’m familiar with North America woodpeckers. They look totally different, although the small thing on top of the head can be similar (sort of.) In any case, good shot despite the glass in between you and this bird.
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What a beautiful bird!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
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Different but very beautiful!
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Handsome bird ..
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I think it’s this one, Spike. http://www.arkive.org/kaempfers-woodpecker/celeus-obrieni/
Beautiful shots, despite the dirty windows. I have a few rather misty looking bird pictures, due to the same thing!
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I still think it is a Hoopoe. The beak gives it away. They do look similar though!
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Doubtless you’re right, Andrew. I’ve never seen a Hoopoe in real life, or anything other than woodpeckers of the green and the lesser spotted variety, Whatever it is, it’s certainly a good looking bird. Must check out YouTube to see if I can watch a video of a Hoopoe in action.
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Locals agree with you too Andrew
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It’s a Hoopoe – distantly related to kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers. Found across Asia, Africa and southern parts of Europe.
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Many thanks – live and learn, as they say 🙂
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Looks like a hoopoe to me Spike
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I just looked online for information about the hoopoe. What interesting birds. And, I think you’re correct in your identification.
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I remembered seeing them in Southern Spain.
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Think I’ve seen then around here before, but never so close as to take a picture.
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Beautiful but we have nothing like it in the UK. 🙂
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It was certainly something quite special
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I hope someone knows what this bird is. I reckon you’re right about it being in the woodpecker family. (Not a tiger, darn it.)
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I tried “Here puss-puss”, but it never responded, so guess you are correct 🙂
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