Hoopoes are widespread in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Hoopoes also appear in the Quran and is known as the "hudhud", in Surah Al-Naml 27:20–24: "And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent? (20) I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization.
(21) But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. (22) Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne. (23) I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided, (24)". Hoopoes were seen as a symbol of virtue in Persia.
طائر الهدهد معروف في معظم بلاد العالم يتميز بلونه الرملي مع التخطيط الأسود والأبيض. له منقار طويل معكوف قليلا للأسفل وعند الخوف أو التحفز يفتح عرفه الجميل.
ذكر طائر الهدهد بالقرآن الكريم في سورة النمل وهو الذي أحضر معلومة مملكة سبأ لسيدنا سليمان وحمل لهم كتابه. وكذلك أعتبر شعاراً للفضيلة في الإمبراطورية الفارسية.
