Medium-sized bird (about 27 cm or 10.5 in), very characteristic for its plumage of ocher, white and black tones; its broad and rounded wings and the crest it has on its head, a plume of feathers that usually unfolds in a semicircle. The tail is wide and black, traversed by a wide white band. The Eurasian Hoopoe has a long, curved bill. Its colouring, crest and bill make it easy to identify when perched. It flies in a butterfly-like manner, flapping irregularly, with slight undulations in its trajectory.
Scrubland
This hoopoe inhabits not very dense woods, grassland, pastures, parks, gardens, cultivated areas and golf courses. It is a bird of open spaces but needs trees. Scarce in high altitude areas and more humid climates, since it prefers warm environments.
The Eurasian Hoopoe is a summer migratory species that has established itself as a resident of the province. It breeds from May and usually builds the nest in tree holes and other cavities, laying 7 to 10 eggs. The chicks defend the nest by excreting a smelly substance. This hoopoe feeds on the ground: insects, snails and larvae. It plumbs the leaf litter and soil thanks to its bill.
Abundant and frequent bird in the province of Malaga. Eurasian hoopoes can be watched practically in all the Great Path.
Not many years ago Eurasian hoopoes used to arrive in Malaga in March to breed. Because of this and their crest they were popularly known as "the March roosters" ("gallitos de marzo" in Spanish) and their presence was a symptom of the arrival of spring. When they are excited and perched, they unfold the crest of feathers of their head. Their song ("oop-oop-oop") is very characteristic and therefore these birds have the Latin name of Upupa.
- Campillos – Sierra de Yeguas
- El Cerro de Santi Petri
- Genal and Guadiaro rivers junction
- Genil River banks
- GR 249. Stage 09: Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto)
- GR 249. Stage 04: Torrox - Nerja
- GR 249. Stage 05: Nerja - Frigiliana
- GR 249. Stage 06: Frigiliana - Cómpeta
- GR 249. Stage 07: Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno
- GR 249. Stage 10: Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto) - Alfarnate
- GR 249. Stage 11: Alfarnate - Villanueva del Rosario
- GR 249. Stage 12: Villanueva del Rosario - Archidona
- GR 249. Stage 13: Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- GR 249. Stage 14: Villanueva de Tapia - Villanueva de Algaidas
- GR 249. Stage 15: Villanueva de Algaidas - Cuevas Bajas
- GR 249. Stage 16: Cuevas Bajas - Alameda
- GR 249. Stage 18: Fuente de Piedra - Campillos
- GR 249. Stage 19: Campillos - Embalses del Guadalhorce
- GR 249. Stage 22: Ardales - El Burgo
- GR 249. Stage 23: El Burgo - Ronda
- GR 249. Stage 24: Ronda - Estación de Benaoján
- GR 249. Stage 25: Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- GR 249. Stage 26: Jimera de Líbar - Benalauría
- GR 249. Stage 29: Casares - Estepona
- GR 249. Stage 30: Estepona - Marbella
- GR 249. Stage 33: Mijas - Benalmádena
- GR 249. Stage 34: Benalmádena - Alhaurín de la Torre
- GR 249. Stage 35: Alhaurín de la Torre - Málaga
- Hoz de Marín
- Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Nature Reserve
- Lagunas de Campillos
- Los Llanos de Antequera – Cartaojal – La Sarteneja
- Mouth of the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve
- Nacimiento Río Jorox
- Sierra de Mollina y Laguna de la Ratosa
- The Mouth of Rio Velez
- Valley of the Guadalhorce River
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