My project in Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds course

I was searching though my collection of photos with the intention of painting some colourful tropical birds. But the one I chose is a Hoopoe that I saw while I was in Egypt a few years ago.
The Hoopoe, or European Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is a strange looking bird with a big crest. I painted one with its crest lowered (I shall do another version with its crest raised) and went through the process of drawing, value study and final painting. The paints are mainly Winsor and Newton Cotman colours though I may have used a couple of professional colours too.
I thought about the splatter but had failed in a previous painting (the splashes were too big and strong, making the subject fade). I may try again later after some practice.