National Birdorable of Israel: Hoopoe

The Hoopoe, a striking and unique crested bird, was named the official national bird of Israel in May 2008. The bird won a national survey to become the honored bird. Stephen Colbert had some fun making the announcement on his show last week. We couldn't miss the opportunity to further honor the beautiful Hoopoe, already a member of the Birdorable family, with a special Birdorable of Israel edition.

The design is available on t-shirts and other gifts:

Comments

Ashira on June 16, 2008 at 6:10 PM wrote:
Hoopoes are so cute! :) What a remarkable honor.
Abdelhadi Matar on September 17, 2020 at 12:10 PM wrote:
What a win to name the Hoopoe as Israel National Bird. But to be honest as a Muslim,I am still shocked to find how Muslim World wide ignored to claim the honor?! The Hoopoe is a very sacred Bird to Muslims as it is the only bird mentioned by name in Quoran as a narration to the Biblical story of king Solomon with Queen Sheba of Yemen. Congratulations despite of your very late claim (2008) because king Solomn Biblical stories should be deeply embeded in the Jewish culture !!!!
Peter on December 1, 2020 at 4:14 AM wrote:
Though colorfully and conspicuously dressed, the hoopoe is notably unclean in home and habits. Its diet of insects is obtained by probing with its sharp bill not only into the ground but also into dunghills and other filth. The nest gives off a disagreeable odor produced by secretions of the bird’s oil glands, and it also becomes foul smelling due to the bird’s failure to clean the nest of excrement. Thus, while not a bird of prey nor an eater of carrion, the hoopoe was included among the birds listed as unclean for food in the Mosaic Law.

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