Grey hypocolius
| Grey hypocolius | |
|---|---|
| Male (left) and female (Great Rann of Kutch) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily: | Bombycilloidea |
| Family: | Hypocoliidae Delacour & Amadon, 1949 |
| Genus: | Hypocolius Bonaparte, 1850 |
| Species: | H. ampelinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypocolius ampelinus Bonaparte, 1850 | |
The grey hypocolius or simply hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus) is a small passerine bird species. It is the sole member of the genus Hypocolius and it is placed in a family of its own, the Hypocoliidae. This slender and long tailed bird is found in the dry semi-desert region of northern Africa, Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and western India. They fly in flocks and forage mainly on fruits, migrating south in winter. During migration they are often found feeding on the fruits of Salvadora persica.