Eco-friendly Upupa epops are in Iğdır

Photo : AA

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Spring is a fascinating time of the year in the eastern Igdir province of Turkey as Upupa epops visit the region.

Each year Upupa epops(Eurasian hoopoe) migrating from Africa are seen in the Iğdır Aras Bird Paradise, a place which is home to  70 percent of Turkey's bird species.

Iğdır, one of the smallest provinces of Turkey, accounts for 5 per thousand of Turkey's total surface area. But when the number of bird species is concerned, it is seen that 340 species have been detected in Iğdır province and 306 species in the Aras Bird Sanctuary.

Route of Migration

Upupa epops help the maintenance of balance in nature, by feeding on insects, larvae, snails, and worms,

These special birds which migrate from Africa to Turkey in the spring and breed by brooding in the summer, are observed every year at the Aras Bird Research Center in Iğdır.

Upupa epops like open areas and meadows as habitat and are mostly observed in fruit, olive groves, and agricultural lands.

Although there are many Upupa epops in Turkey, it is not easy to catch them.

This year 5 of them were captured in the nets in Aras Bird Paradise, ringed, and then released into the wild.

By bird-ringing (securing a small metal ring around one of their legs) it is easier to track their route of migration and feeding and breeding sites.

About Upupa

Upupa (hoopoes) are colorful birds found across Africa, Asia, and Europe, notable for their distinctive "crown" of feathers

Upupa epops or the Eurasian hoopoe is the most widespread species of the genus Upupa.

Other members of this family are the African hoopoe, the Madagascar hoopoe, and the giant hoopoe (Saint Helena hoopoe).

The giant hoopoe was last seen around 1550.

CLICK - 70 percent of Turkey's bird species recorded in Iğdır

(TY/TB)