Simon says: "Have you met Israel's national bird?"

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Simon says: "Have you met Israel's national bird?"

It has a punk-rock crown, a long curved beak & an attitude all its own.

The Eurasian Hoopoe (Duchifat in Hebrew) was chosen as Israel's national bird in 2008, 60 years after declaring independence, following the departure of the British occupation.

The Hoopoe is mentioned in the Bible, listed among the unclean birds in Leviticus/Vayikra 11:19. It's been part of this Land's story for millennia.

Jewish folklore gives it a starring role: King Solomon supposedly sent the Hoopoe to find the shamir - a magical worm capable of cutting stone without iron, so the Temple could be built without tools of war.

In the Talmud, it's called tarnegola bara -"wild rooster" - because of its feathery crest .

King Solomon gave every Hoopoe a golden crown as thanks for shielding him from the desert sun. The birds grew so vain they'd stop to admire themselves in every puddle, until a bird-catcher used a mirror to trap them. The survivors begged Solomon to take back the fatal gift, & he replaced the gold with feathers .

In Islamic tradition, the Hoopoe is the messenger between King Solomon & the Queen of Sheba.

Where to spot one?

Look for a brown-pink body, black-&-white striped wings & that unmistakable crest.
They're ground-feeders: you'll see them probing lawns, gardens, fields & open spaces for insects.
They nest in wall cavities, roof tiles & abandoned holes.

Common throughout Israel, in towns, villages, parks & agricultural areas

Worth knowing:

Hoopoe parents have a unique defence: when threatened, they secrete a foul-smelling fluid from a special gland, coating the nest & chicks to deter predators . It works! Cats, snakes & other predators stay away.

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photo credit: Greg Schechter