Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

De Boodt probably assembled his 'three large books' as followed: one for plants, one for animals and one for birds. The latter was apparently damaged (many of the bird studies have a loss at one corner), which may have prompted the 18th-century remounting campaign. Here the upper right corner is missing, but the hoopoe remained unaffected. Its black-tipped crest – which opens only when excited – can be seen in all its glory.