Eurasian Hoopoes are often associated with extensive rural landscapes in dry areas. In Switzerland, it mainly populates vineyards and fruit crops. It feeds on the ground, in sparse or clear vegetation. It relies on cavities to build its nest, and a sufficient quantity of large, easily accessible prey is critical for rearing its young.
In 2016, the population was estimated at 180–260 breeding pairs, concentrated in the Alpine valleys and the western plateau. Population numbers in Switzerland declined sharply between 1959 and 2000. Later, protection projects yielded positive results at the local level.
The species benefits from vegetation management that ensures access to its prey over large areas. Locally, the installation of nest boxes is beneficial to it near suitable habitats.
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species
Eurasian Hoopoe
Distribution and development
Schematic distribution
Schematic distribution during the breeding season (ochre), in winter time (dotted in blue) or during migration periods (dotted in vinaceous).
Breeding bird index
The graph shows the relative evolution of the breeding population in Switzerland (100 = mean value). Example: A value of 130 means that the population in the corresponding year was 30% above the mean value of the entire period considered.
Habitat and food
©
© Flurin Leugger
Structured winegrowing landscape.
©
© Michael Schaub
Fruit crops in Valais.
©
© Markus Jenny
Vineyards with a mix of short and tall vegetation (facilitates access to prey).
Conservation programme for birds in Switzerland - Priority species
Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Hoopoes are often associated with extensive rural landscapes in dry areas. In Switzerland, it mainly populates vineyards and fruit crops. It feeds on the ground, in sparse or clear vegetation. It relies on cavities to build its nest, and a sufficient quantity of large, easily accessible prey is critical for rearing its young.
In 2016, the population was estimated at 180–260 breeding pairs, concentrated in the Alpine valleys and the western plateau. Population numbers in Switzerland declined sharply between 1959 and 2000. Later, protection projects yielded positive results at the local level.
The species benefits from vegetation management that ensures access to its prey over large areas. Locally, the installation of nest boxes is beneficial to it near suitable habitats.
In 2016, the population was estimated at 180–260 breeding pairs, concentrated in the Alpine valleys and the western plateau. Population numbers in Switzerland declined sharply between 1959 and 2000. Later, protection projects yielded positive results at the local level.
The species benefits from vegetation management that ensures access to its prey over large areas. Locally, the installation of nest boxes is beneficial to it near suitable habitats.
Birds of Switzerland
Eurasian Hoopoe
To the species profile in the bird database
Project managers
Threats, activities and forecasts
Limiting factors and threats
The species depends on habitats rich in large ground insects, their accessibility and the presence of suitable cavities for breeding. Weather conditions during the breeding season influences population dynamics.
Breeding season
- Areas with clear or sparse vegetation rich in large insects.
- Availability of suitable cavities near favourable habitats.
- Cool and rainy weather during the breeding season.
- Local disturbances, partly due to photographers.
Migration/ Winter
- The main mortality of adults occurs during migration and in the wintering zone in the Sahel.
- Very dry years increase adult mortality in the Sahel.
Necessary activities
Monitoring
- Continued regional monitoring of breeding populations.
Conservation
- Promotion of food resources, through the conservation of large insects through restricted use of insecticides and extensive management of agricultural land.
- Diversified vegetation and adapted management in arboriculture and viticulture to facilitate access to prey.
- Installation of nest boxes in addition to natural nesting sites.
Research
- Promotion of food resources, through the conservation of large insects through restricted use of insecticides and extensive management of agricultural land.
- Diversified vegetation and adapted management in arboriculture and viticulture to facilitate access to prey.
- Installation of nest boxes in addition to natural nesting sites.
Prospects for success and prognostics
- The development of ecological compensation in agriculture and viticulture could have a positive impact on populations in the future.
- The increasing number of nest box installation projects in suitable habitats could promote population recovery.
- Weather conditions during the nesting period are likely to play an important role in population trends.
Conservation measures and stakeholders
Create patchy vegetation
Patchy vegetation improves food accessibility at ground level.
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Agriculture
Cantons
Municipalities
Private individuals
Offer and maintain nesting aids
Installing and maintaining nest boxes or artificial nests helps counteract the lack of natural nesting sites.
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Agriculture
Nature conservation
Parcs
Private individuals
Promote extensive farming
Unfertilised meadows and avoiding pesticides or mulching promote the diversity of plants and insects and thus the quality of the habitat (nesting sites, food supply).
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Agriculture
Cantons
Preserve cavity trees
Cavity trees offer nesting sites for a wide variety of bird species.
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Agriculture
Forestry
Nature conservation
Parcs
Private individuals
Preserve/promote traditional orchards
High-stem orchards on extensive meadows, pastures and other types of ground-cover are an important habitat for many bird species.
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Agriculture
Cantons
Municipalities
Private individuals
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
Birds of Switzerland
Eurasian Hoopoe
With its splendid crest, its orange-brown plumage and its broad black and white strips on wings and tail, the Common Hoopoe looks like an exotic bird. It has high demands on its habitat: Large insects and suitable nesting cavities must be available in abundance. There are only few areas in Switzerland where it can find its living. In these places you can hear its trisyllabic “oop-oop...
To the species profile in the bird database
