BIRDGACHA / FIELD NOTES
Hypocolius
The Grey Hypocolius is a slender, long-tailed songbird with smooth grey or brownish-grey plumage and a short bill. Adult males have a conspicuous dark facial mask, while females are plainer, and the dark tail tip and contrasting wing details provide additional identification clues. The species in this catalogue is Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus). Fruit and berries form an important part of its diet, with birds gathering where suitable feeding trees or shrubs are available. Compare several individuals when a flock appears, since the male's mask is not present on every bird.
How to recognize Hypocolius
- Compare the smooth grey body and long tail with a dark tip.
- Check males for a dark mask while allowing for unmasked females.
- Look for a short bill and fruit-feeding behaviour in dry-country groves.
Where they live
The family occurs in the Middle East and adjoining parts of southern Asia, with wider winter movements. Dry woodland, scrub, palm groves and other vegetated places in arid landscapes provide feeding and roosting opportunities. Seasonal movements bring birds into different regions, and fruit supplies can concentrate flocks in comparatively small patches of suitable cover. A green grove within dry country can be useful habitat; the surrounding desert does not mean the bird feeds on bare sand.
Species account: Grey Hypocolius
Sources — natural history: New Hampshire PBS NatureWorks: Hypocolius · Cornell Birds of the World: Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus), species natural history · OSME: Grey Hypocolius seasonal observations in Saudi Arabia.
Classification: IOC World Bird List: family names and classification.
Some Cornell Birds of the World account sections require a subscription.
Updated 2026-11-06. Species counts follow this site's catalogue. This is an editorial summary, not an expert peer review.
Species records retain their original English, Chinese and scientific names.
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