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. |