The Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops) is the most widespread species of the genus Upupa, native to Europe, Asia, and the northern half of Africa. Some taxonomists still consider all three species conspecific. Some authorities also keep the African and Eurasian hoopoes together but split the Madagascar hoopoes. The diet of the Eurasian hoopoe is mostly composed of insects, although small reptiles, frogs, and plant matter such as seeds and berries are sometimes taken as well. It is a solitary forager that typically feeds on the ground. More rarely, they will feed in the air, where their strong and rounded wings make them fast and maneuverable, in pursuit of numerous swarming insects. More commonly, their foraging style is to stride over relatively open ground and periodically pause to probe the ground with the full length of their bill. Among the birds, the HOOPOE (hud-hud in Arabic) bird has been specifically mentioned in Surah # 27, An-Naml, twice in the following manner: The hoopoe (hud-hud) is an elegant bird, that is related to the hornbill. It gets its unusual name from its shrill call of “hoops, " which rings clear and far and is repeated twice or thrice. Often, the cry is cut off very short. This may be caused by the bird’s bill sharply striking the ground at the end of the note. It is one of Old World non-passerine birds. Its scientific name is “Upupaepops” (family Upupidae, of the roller order, Coraciiformes). King—fishers, bee—eaters, rollers, hoopoes, and hornbills are collectively called roller—like birds. There are about seven species of hoopoes. It is a widely distributed bird of the British Isles, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It exists in the temperate and tropical regions of the Old World. This is a small bird about 12 inches long, the size of a large thrush or mynah, and has short legs with heavy feet and powerful claws.

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