From Chito Limchiu
A once in a lifetime event.. Seeing this rare migrant after a storm in Cavite. This was one of the bird moments I will not forget...
Eurasian Hoopoe, rare accidental migrant
It looks like these guys have even showed up in Alaska back in 1975. That's really far off course!
I was surprised to see that it doesn't even seem to be uncommon in large parts of the world and that it doesn't seem to be an especially threatened species. Here is a range map:
And here's a different angle of that amazing crest:
I'm always amazed that animals like this are just ordinary for people in different parts of the world!
Idk, I grew up in an area with bluejays & cardinals & hummingbirds.. I was always appreciative & amazed by them (even more so when I learned they didn't exist everywhere)
Not a bird... but when I found out not everywhere has "Lightning Bugs" (bioluminescent beetles which may be fairies), I was surprised. Kind of like when I found out that not everywhere has "chiggers" (grass dwelling butt munchers). I never understood why people could lie down in the grass (in movies) without scratching themselves or getting up.
I think empathy plays into it, but it's definitely a matter of how curious you are towards beauty & individuality in life & nature.
Btw, I wasn't aware this bird existed... but it looks like a bird of paradise that Atty would lose his shit over.
I think I just want all the animals. Well, maybe not the chiggers... 😜
There are plenty that would feel the same way about my everyday animals in other parts of the world, I'm sure.
I do miss the lightning bugs greatly. I used to spend nights running around the yard catching them, and now I am happy to see any. Monarchs had been the same, but this year and last I've seen a decent number again.
Having started working hands-on with my local wildlife has also greatly increased both my understanding of how many more species we have than I was aware and how complex the lives of or very common species actually are.
And yet I can't get "hoopoe" to work in Spelling Bee!
Dang you, NYT!
You reminded me I hadn't actually looked up how to say the word. Seems "hoo poo" is the correct pronunciation. That is a pretty fun word! My guess was "hoo po aye."
Hoo poo sound right, it is closer to how they sing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgUtX1VEOlY
That's not so surprising it's an onomatopoeia.
What is surprising is they tuck their face to make that noise! I don't think I have ever seen a bird do that before.
It was a surprise to me too, I've seen and heard them my whole life and when I saw the video I realised that never did both at the same time 😆