NT Hoopoe - U. e. Africana?

["Mike Carter" <>]

I see no reason to consider that it's other than the far eastern race of 
Eurasian Hoopoe U. e. saturata. The African bird has no subterminal crest 
band at all or one that is much reduced in its extent, whereas the NT bird 
possesses a broad and obvious pale subterminal crest band albeit not pure 
white. But then the white transverse bands across the back and wings are not 
as they should be, pure white either, also being tainted with a paler 
version of the pinkish-buff that dominates the rest of the plumage.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136