Bible Dictionary
HOOPOE
The hoopoe is a distinctive crested bird found in Palestine. It appears in Israel’s lists of birds forbidden as food, likely because of its habits and ritual associations.
Biblical Usage
The hoopoe appears only in the lists of birds declared unfit for food in Leviticus 11:19 and Deuteronomy 14:18. Its habits and its association with sacred beliefs were given as reasons for considering it unclean.