Israel's Bird

The winning woodpecker-like bird is called the Hoopie.
The story broke this morning:

Hoopoe Israel's new national bird

"Thousands of Israelis participate in election of country's first national bird; after months of voting, President Peres announces Hoopoe raked in 35% of votes

President Shimon Peres announced the Hoopoe as Israel's new national bird. The Hoopoe won an election held by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, which concluded on Thursday after months of voting. 155,000 people participated in the nationwide election." -more

Hoopoe photo by Dhaval Momaya, India. November, 2005