1. a colorful bird with a long curved bill, a prominent crest, and distinctive black and white striped wings and back, found in Europe, Asia, and Africa

Examples

• The hoopoe is the national bird of Israel.
• We spotted a hoopoe feeding on insects in the garden.
• The hoopoe’s crest feathers stood upright when it was alarmed.
• Ancient Egyptians considered the hoopoe a sacred bird.
• The hoopoe’s distinctive call sounds like ‘hoop-hoop-hoop.’
• During migration, hoopoes can be seen across southern Europe.
• The hoopoe uses its long bill to probe for grubs in the soil.