(Hypocolius ampelinus)
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.The grey hypocolius is a slim bird with a long tail,slight crest and thick,short hook-tipped bill.Its shape and soft,satiny plumage resembles that of the waxwing.Birds are mainly a uniform grey or brownish-grey colour,with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes.They have white-tipped black primary wing feathers and a black terminal band on the tail.Adults are about 19–21 cm in length.The head feathers are raised when the bird is excited.They fly in a straight non-undulating style and when hopping in shrubbery,can appear like a babbler.The tarsus is short and sturdy with coarse scales.There are rictal bristles visible at the base of the bill and the nostrils are exposed,small and oval.