13/10/2026
There are simply no adequate words to describe these alien looking little creatures.
Honestly, who exactly designed these babies?! A committee of confused muppets? A punk rock band that got lost on the way to a gig?!?
Believe it or not, these little uglies (and we say that with the deepest affection, naturally) will soon morph into some of the most exquisite, fascinating birds we have the pleasure of working with.
Meet the African Hoopoe (Upupa africana), not yet sporting their usual spectacular punk-rock hairstyles, but the impossibly long beaks and expressions of such profound indignation that one can only assume someone has already offended their ancestors, are there!
They look like they’ve arrived from another planet, discovered Earth’s customer service department and would like to speak to the manager. Immediately.
Beneath all that sparse scruffy fluffy and outrageously endearing awkwardness lurks a surprisingly formidable little bird.
Thankfully, our tiny visitors have settled in nicely and seem to have accepted that Judy is the new Mom on the Block, which is probably just as well, because Hoopoe chicks have some rather unconventional ideas about personal security.
When threatened, these little feathered ninjas can hiss, strike out with their bills and even sq**rt foul-smelling faeces at unwelcome visitors…
Yes. Actual poo projectiles.
Apparently, when you’re approximately the size of a fluffy sample jar, you need to make every defensive weapon count.
If that isn’t enough, Hoopoe chicks have another trick up their proverbial sleeves. They can produce a pungent secretion from their preen gland, helping make their nest an exceptionally unpleasant destination for potential predators.
Nature’s very own burglar alarm, complete with an odour that says, “Congratulations! You’ve broken in. Your reward is regret.”
(Mother Nature deserves a raise).
These little oddballs won’t remain “uglies” forever.
Hoopoe chicks generally spend around a month in the nest before fledging, but leaving the nest doesn’t mean they’ve suddenly acquired a bond, a driver’s licence and the ability to feed themselves.
Youngsters may remain dependent on their parents for food and care for several weeks after fledging.
So, if you spot a young Hoopoe on the ground, don’t automatically assume it’s abandoned. Its parents may be nearby, keeping a watchful eye on their offspring while the youngster practices the fine art of being a bird.
Of course, an injured, cold or genuinely orphaned chick may need help. If in doubt, keep pets away and contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Hoopoes aren’t particularly interested in building elaborate designer homes from scratch. They’re more the “location, location, location” types.
Tree cavities, old nesting holes, wall crevices and even suitable spaces in buildings can all make perfectly acceptable nurseries.
Why spend weeks on renovations when a perfectly good hole already exists?
In Gauteng, Hoopoes generally breed during the warmer months, with the main southern African breeding season falling roughly between August and February.
During this time, Mum incubates the eggs while Dad brings her food. Once the chicks hatch, both parents become increasingly busy sourcing meals for their ever-hungry brood.
And what goes onto the menu?
Beetles, grasshoppers, termites, insect larvae and all manner of wriggly little delicacies.
That wonderfully long bill isn’t merely an extravagant fashion accessory. It’s a precision tool for probing soil and leaf litter in search of hidden treats.
Hoopoes are rather useful garden residents, helping keep insect populations in check. In other words, they’re adorable, entertaining, exceptionally well equipped little pest controllers.
For now, our 6 Hoopoe babies are all awkward angles, outrageous hairstyles and expressions suggesting they’ve been deeply disappointed by the quality of their accommodation, but give them time.
Those scruffy little heads will grow into magnificent crests, those ridiculous beaks will become beautifully adapted hunting tools, and those tiny bundles of pink will develop into the striking, unmistakable birds that make Hoopoes such a joy to encounter.
Until then, Judy has her hands full with a nursery of miniature punk-rockers who appear to have arrived from another galaxy, have questionable hygiene standards and are already suspiciously well armed.
We wish her strength (and possibly a hazmat suit)!
Wildlife rehabilitation: where even the ugliest neonates turn out to be something extraordinary.
Every wild life matters.
Every little life deserves a chance… and we gladly give them that!
