The first upper They returned to Italy, announcing the arrival of spring with their characteristic song. These fascinating migratory birds, known for their colorful plumage and erectile crest, faced a long journey from sub -Sasaharan Africa to reach the nesting areas in our country.
The Upupa (Upupa Epops) is a bird belonging to the Order of Bucerootiforms and is the symbol of the Italian Bird Protection League (Lipu). With a length that can reach 29 cm and an wing opening close to half a meter, it stands out for its own long beak and slightly curvedideal for digging into the ground in search of insects and small invertebrates.
Its wings have a design with black and white bands, while the body is covered with a light brown hot. His flight is easily recognizable: slow, slightly wavy and similar to that of a butterfly. The upper begin to arrive in Italy Between March and Apriloften appearing fatigued after migration.
What are the best places to be able to observe them
They prefer hot and open environments such as orchards, vineyards and groveswhere they can find refuge and food. They nest in cavities of trees or in old abandoned structures, lay up to seven eggs and during the hatching the male deals with nourishing the female. An interesting behavior observed by ornithologists is the so -called “wedding gift“: The male offers food to his partner as a sign of courtship.
Although their presence is still quite common, the upper they face significant threats related to the loss of natural habitat and modern agricultural practices. According to Lipu, the Italian Uppe population is estimated between 20,000 and 50,000 couples, but there is a slight decline in recent decades. The species is classified as “at minimum risk“From the red list of the IUCN, but its conservation remains a priority for environmentalists.
For birdwatching enthusiasts, this is the ideal time to observe the upper in their favorite environments, such as the Circeo National Park oi Castelli Romani. Their beauty and their fascinating behavior make them one of the most loved and easily recognizable birds of our fauna. Protecting their habitat and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are fundamental steps to guarantee their presence in our campaigns for future generations.
