A Hippogriff (also spelled Hippogryph and Hippogryphe, Italian: Ippogrifo) is a legendary creature, supposedly the offspring of a griffin and a mare.
Wikibooks says the following:
A hippogriff is a creature that has the "body, hind legs, and tail of a horse; but the front legs, wings, and head of what seemed to be a giant eagle, with a cruel, steel-colored beak and large, brilliantly orange eyes. The talons on its front legs were half a foot long and deadly looking."
Much more descriptive. In the the third Harry Potter book you read about Buckbeak. Buckbeak is Hagrid's grey pet Hippogriff. He is a character many people are fond of (I named my roster after him). He does likable things like biting Draco Malfoy. Arrogant and ignorant Malfoy says before being bitten.
"I'll bet you're not dangerous at all, are you? Are you, you great ugly brute?"
-- Draco Malfoy to Buckbeak, making a rather serious mistake
Draco proceeded to be a total cry baby. He runs to his rich daddy saying he is more hurt than he really is. Lucius Malfoy than goes on to convince " Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures" to have Buckbeak be executed. Harry and Herimone later released Buckbeak from Hagrid's pumpkin patch (the executioner and other people were nearby inside Hagrid's house). The then fly Buckbeak to Sirius Black. Sirius and Buckbeak than became fugitives together.
There is certain protocol to be followed when wanting to interact with this creature. The Harry Potter Lexicon said the following:
"A person wishing to approach a hippogriff should maintain eye contact and should bow first; if the animal bows in return, it can be touched and even ridden. Hippogriff owners are required to keep them under Disillusionment Charms to prevent Muggles from seeing them (PA6, FB). "
Hippogriff are a very interesting and majestic creature. I hope to have shed a little light on the subject of their species.
