hoopoe

American  

[hoo-poo] / ˈhu pu /

noun

1. any Old World bird of the family Upupidae, especially Upupa epops, of Europe, having an erectile, fanlike crest.

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hoopoe British  

/ ˈhuːpuː /

noun

1. an Old World bird, Upupa epops, having a pinkish-brown plumage with black-and-white wings and an erectile crest: family Upupidae, order Coraciiformes (kingfishers, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of hoopoe

1660–70; variant of obsolete hoopoop (imitative); cognate with Low German huppup; compare Latin upupa

Explanation

A hoopoe is a distinctive bird with a fabulous crown of feathers on its head. Hoopoes are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The colorful hoopoe, with its spectacular crest and pinkish feathers marked with bold stripes, is a beautiful bird with a reputation for being smelly. Hoopoes are actually clean birds that keep their nests tidy, but they can also release a terrible stink to keep predators at bay. The name hoopoe is imitative, resembling the bird's soft cry, which has been described as sounding like "the noise of blowing gently over a bottle."

Example Sentences

But Conlan said in a statement that he has been represented by his brother, Jamie, for the past year, and had never heard of Hoopoe.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2022

Michael Conlan, an Irish featherweight, was previously managed by MTK Global and was listed as a client on the website of Hoopoe Sports, a Dubai-based company that was included in the sanctions.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2022

One of the businesses sanctioned by the US is Hoopoe Sports, a sports management company for combat sports.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2022

The Hoopoe did as he was bid, darting off towards the south like an arrow.

From The Curious Book of Birds by Smith, E. Boyd (Elmer Boyd)

Those people you speak of," said he sternly to the frightened Hoopoe, "may have had Cormorants to catch their fish, but I never heard of it before.

From Round-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and Fancy by Stockton, Frank Richard