Besra
Tachyspiza virgata
松雀鹰
Introduction
A bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Formerly placed in genus Accipiter, now classified as Tachyspiza virgata. A widespread resident breeder in dense forests throughout southern Asia, ranging from the Indian subcontinent eastwards across Southeast Asia and into East Asia. Nests in trees, building a new nest each year. Lays 2 to 5 eggs. A medium-sized raptor measuring 29 to 36 cm in length, with short broad wings and a long tail—adaptations for fast maneuvering through dense vegetation. Normal flight consists of a characteristic 'flap–flap–glide' pattern.
Description
A medium-sized raptor with short broad wings and a long tail, measuring 29 to 36 cm in length. The adult male has dark blue-grey upperparts and white underparts barred with reddish brown. The larger female is browner above than the male. Juveniles are dark brown above and white below, barred with brown. All plumages display 3-4 equally sized dark bands on the uppertail. The species appears as a darker version of the shikra, with darker overall plumage, strongly barred underwing, a broader gular stripe, and thin long legs and toes.
Identification
Appears as a darker version of the widespread shikra, distinguished by darker upperparts, strongly barred underwing, a broader gular stripe, and thin long legs and toes. The 3-4 equally sized dark bands on the uppertail are a reliable field mark across all plumages.
Distribution & Habitat
Widespread resident breeder across southern Asia, from the Indian subcontinent eastwards through Southeast Asia into East Asia. Inhabits dense forests year-round but emerges into more open woodland in winter, including savannah and cultivation. Ten subspecies are recognized, including populations in the Himalayas, China, Indochina, Taiwan, south India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bali, Flores, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Philippines.
Behavior & Ecology
Hunting technique similar to other small hawks such as the sparrowhawk and sharp-shinned hawk, relying on surprise as it flies from a hidden perch or flicks over a bush to catch prey unaware. Prey consists of lizards, dragonflies, and small birds and mammals. Nests in trees, constructing a new nest each year. Normal flight consists of a characteristic 'flap–flap–glide' pattern.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Tachyspiza
- eBird Code
- besra1
Subspecies (10)
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Tachyspiza virgata abdulalii
Andaman and Nicobar islands
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Tachyspiza virgata affinis
northern India and Nepal to central China and Indochina
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Tachyspiza virgata besra
southern India and Sri Lanka
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Tachyspiza virgata confusa
Philippines (Luzon, Mindoro, Negros, and Catanduanes)
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Tachyspiza virgata fuscipectus
mountains of Taiwan
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Tachyspiza virgata quagga
Philippines (Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Siquijor, and Mindanao)
-
Tachyspiza virgata quinquefasciata
Flores (Lesser Sundas)
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Tachyspiza virgata rufotibialis
northern Borneo
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Tachyspiza virgata vanbemmeli
Sumatra
-
Tachyspiza virgata virgata
Java and Bali
Data Sources
CBR Notes: 由Accipiter属移入重新恢复的Tachyspiza属，学名由Accipiter virgatus改为Tachyspiza virgata（Lerner & Mindell 2005；Mindell et al. 2018；Catanach et al.2024）。
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.