Many countries feature a national bird. The United States chose the bald eagle, France the Gallic rooster, and the United Kingdom the European robin.

Not to be outdone, Israel designated its own national symbol: the hoopoe. This striking bird features cinnamon-colored feathers and a dramatic, fan-like crest. Its bold black-and-white wings closely resemble a tallit (traditional Jewish prayer shawl).

The hoopoe’s selection reflects deep historical roots. The bird appears in ancient Jewish texts and is famously linked to King Solomon, anchoring it to the region’s history.

Beyond their cultural ties, these birds share an ancient lineage. The eagle, rooster, and hoopoe are all descendants of dinosaurs. In fact, every bird species alive today evolved from theropod dinosaurs, making them live remnants of the prehistoric world.

In The Story of Birds, (HarperCollins 2026) Steve Brusatte invites the reader to look at the ordinary world with ancient eyes. The book is neither pseudoscience nor escapist fiction, but a scientifically informed reconstruction of the evolutionary journey from dinosaurs to modern birds. A pigeon hopping across a city sidewalk, a hawk circling above a highway, or a sparrow singing from a tree........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)