The family Upupidae includes 1 species found in North America.

Hoopoes occur in open country with scattered trees, pastures, orchards and savannas in Europe, Asia, Malaysia, Africa and Madagascar. Weight is 65-67 gms. Wings are broad, rounded and the tail is square. They have a long, erectile crest. Plumage is buffy or pinkish-cinnamon, without metallic gloss. They perch and roost in trees. On the ground hoopoes walk strongly. Flight is undulating and erratic, reminiscent of a large butterfly.

Food is mainly insects and other small invertebrates taken on the ground or by probing with the bill. They also gather food by hawking for flying insects or by turning over refuse or dry cowpats.

Hoopoes nest in holes in trees, walls, crevices in rocks, buildings or nest boxes. The nest site is found and cleared by the male. Some nests are lined with grass, others are bare. Eggs white, clutch size varies from 4-7 in the tropics to 5-8 in Europe. Female incubates and is fed by the male, but may emerge to forage for herself. The female remains in the nest for a week after eggs hatch, then both adults feed the nestlings. Droppings of nestlings are not removed from the nest. Incubation is about 17 days, nestling period 26-32 days. There are one to three broods per season.