Kingdom: Animalia       Phylum: Chordata       Class: Aves (Birds)       Order: Passeriformes      Family: Hypocoliidae
 

Birds Orders
Anseriformes
Apodiformes
Bucerotiformes
Caprimulgiformes
Charadriiformes
Ciconiiformes
Columbiformes
Coraciiformes
Cuculiformes
Falconiformes
Galliformes
Gaviiformes
Gruiformes
Passeriformes
Pelecaniformes
Phoenicopteriformes
Piciformes
Podicipediformes
Procellariiformes
Psittaciformes
Pteroclidiformes
Strigiformes
Trogoniformes
Turniciformes
Upupiformes

Hypocoliidae (Hypocolius) breed in open woodlands and orchards of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. They drift down to south and south-east in winter. Hypocoliidae are grey, medium-sized, shrike-like birds (24 cm), with long tail having black subterminal band and white-tipped black wings. Bill strong and broad at base; small oval exposed nostrils and rictal bristles weak but always visible. These birds generally feed on fruits and occasionally insects. Hypocolius are gregarious and conspicuous in non-breeding season. While breeding they become cautious and easily abandon nesting. Clutch size of 4-5 eggs in bulky cup-shaped nest, made of sticks in a tree. Both parents care for the young.

The closest relative of Hypocoliidae family, consisting of just a single specie (Gray Hypocolius), are Bombycillidae and Pycnonotidae. This bird is found in western semi-desert regions of India, migrating here in the winter season.


Grey Hypocolius  (Hypocolius ampelinus) - sparse winter visitor


Passeriformes families
Aegithalidae
Alaudidae
Bombycillidae
Certhiidae
Cinclidae
Cisticolidae
Corvidae
Eurylaimidae
Fringillidae
Hirundinidae
Hypocoliidae
Irenidae
Laniidae
Muscicapidae
Nectariniidae
Paridae
Passeridae
Pittidae
Pycnonotidae
Regulidae
Sittidae
Sturnidae
Sylviidae
Zosteropidae

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