Shikra (Accipiter badius) 10 February 2016. Tiger Moon Resort, Sawaimadhopur, Rajasthan, IN

Originally misidentified as Besra (Accipiter virgatus) based on the dark medial gular line. Correction from Rajneesh Suvarna who wrote, "The gular line is seen in a Shikra too. Note the thick tarsii and lack of barrings on the thighs. Also the Besra is a forest bird and will mostly be perched within a tree, rarely seen in the open and almost never perched on a bare wire."

Two races are possible. This is probably A. b. dussumieri which is a widespread resident breeder. A. b. cenchroides is a winter visitor from breeding areas in the north. It is similar but slightly larger and paler. However there is considerable overlap between the two. Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)

References:

Kemp, A.C. & Kirwan, G.M. (2016). Shikra (Accipiter badius). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53047 on 10 August 2016).

Rasmussen, P.C. & Anderton, J.C. 2012. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols. 1 and 2. Second Edition. Smithsonian Institution. Michigan State University & Lynx Edicions, Washington. D.C., Michigan & Barcelona.
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