01 January 2015

Eurasian Hoopoes – Dhahran Hills

The Eurasian Hoopoe is a resident breeding species in Dhahran Camp and numbers remain fairly high during the winter months. The species is also a passage migrant with much higher numbers in spring and autumn as passage birds join the resident ones. They are a very popular species in Saudi Arabia with almost everyone knowing the birds when they see them even if they may not know the exact name. They can be seen in many areas of Dhahran camp and are often seen in grassy areas using their long bills to find grubs and insects, often throwing them up in the air before catching them and eating them.