The hoopoe comes from Southern Europe and usually retreats to Africa during colder weather, but this year one has made Boulmer beach its winter home.
Bird watchers from across the region have been gathering to spot the exotic looking bird with its distinctive black and white wings and pinkish brown crest.
Out on the Boulmer cliff tops Alan and Maureen Gilbertson from Warkworth had come to do just that. Alan has been interested in birds all of his life and was determined to see the hoopoe.
"We heard about it from a telephone call so I had to come along. It is the first one I've seen in Northumberland," said Alan.
"This is a great area for bird watching, there's Holy Island and Druridge Bay and the winds can blow in a lot of vagrant birds."
Sightings of the hoopoe on the cliff tops and along the beach have been frequent as the bird stocks up on food after its long flight.
Although the hoopoe is not a stranger to the UK, it is usually spotted on the south coast of England during the spring as it returns home from Africa.
Bird experts think climate changes and warmer winter weather could be responsible for the bird's unusual choice of holiday destination.
David Hirst, a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), welcomed the hoopoe's unexpected visit, but reminded people to keep their distance.
He said: "We don't want it to be disturbed by people trying to get up close to take photos. We would urge people to remember the bird watchers' code of conduct."
He believes a mild autumn has brought the bird to British shores.
"At this time of year we do get some crossover with birds migrating south from the Arctic like snow buntings and birds travelling across to Africa."
Back home in Southern Europe the hoopoe prefers open country with old trees, olive groves or orchards and a stream nearby.
It is a ground-feeding bird living off insects and spiders with a soft low "hoop hoop" call and a distinctive bobbing flight.
Although the hoopoe has set up home at Boulmer for the last few weeks, birdwatchers think it will soon bid Northumberland farewell. Mr Gilbertson said: "There'll be a chill one night, the sky will be clear and it'll realise there's no insects then it will be off, using the stars to guide it."