Order: Upupiformes  
Family: Upupidae
Upupa epops
Hoopoe

Size: 27 cm
Habitat
They prefer clearings, clear spaces surrounded by forest. They stroll and fly in meadows near woods and areas with plenty of bulrush and scrubland, even in parks near human settlements and urban areas. They also like living in wetlands, lagoons and farmlands with crops.  
They walk up and down meadows looking for invertebrates they catch with their long, curved beak. They build their nests in tree-cavities and in wall-holes.
They are widely distributed over Europe and Africa, including Madagascar.
They are customary in summer but they can be seen all over the year in the reserves and near inland lagoons and crops.