JERUSALEM: Steering clear of both the dove and the hawk, tens of thousands of Israelis chose the colourful hoopoe as the Jewish state’s national bird.

In a ceremony at his Jerusalem residence, President Shimon Peres announced on Thursday the winner of a contest which drew over 150,000 people to vote for their favourite among 10 local birds.

The hoopoe, distinguishable by its erratic flight and its orange-feathered crest, emerged as the winner with 35 per cent of the votes, well ahead of the warbler and the goldfinch, which each won 10 per cent. The hoopoe is now an emblem of the celebrations of Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The six-month election campaign stirred a well-publicised public debate over which bird best represents Israel’s character.

The hoopoe boasts deep roots in the region’s culture.

The Bible mentions it among the group of birds which are not allowed to be eaten. But the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, which initiated the contest, also noted that the hoopoe’s nest stinks -- a protection against predators.

Strategically situated on the migration route from Europe to the warmer climes of Africa, Israel boasts an array of bird species, some of which are on the verge of extinction.—AFP