Besra/Shikra (1 Viewer)

A

Andrew S

Kentish Mother

• Dec 14, 2003

• #1

I have attached two photos of birds taken recently in Sri Lanka - didn't identify them when out there, but it looks to me now as though I've got a Besra and a Shikra? Can anyone confirm this from these rather unhelpful angles?

Seems to me it's down to the tail barring...

Andrew

 

Attachments

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  Besra.jpg

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  Shikra.jpg

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Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 14, 2003

• #2

Having Deja Vu here... Help!

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 14, 2003

• #3

The bird on the left does look conceivably to be the same species as this... though without the grey face!

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=2864

 

E

Edward woodwood

Member

• Dec 14, 2003

• #4

right hand does appear to be a Shikra

not sure about Besra yet.....

 

C

Chaiyan

Well-known member

• Dec 14, 2003

• #5

I agree. With lacking inner bands on uppertail, right bird is adult Shikra, probably female.

Left bird'd be a juv Besra considering its three obvious black tail bands. As juv Shikra would have > 4 such tailbands and the 4th innermost tail band of the left bird would be obscured by folded primaries. Also it seems the bird has obvious black gular stripe behind its bill.