Accipiter ID-Guangxi, China (1 Viewer)

[mzwebby]

August sighting of this raptor in Guangxi, China. My guess is Crested Goshawk, but wanted to confirm with those more familiar with hawks in the region.

Mike

 

[xuky.summer]

a Besra, the bill looks too small for Crested Goshawk

 

[Butty]

a Besra, the bill looks too small for Crested Goshawk

Bill-size in flight is a really tricky feature to use on an accipiter. I've found these two species very difficult in the past, so I wonder if you could give any other ID features that are showing here? - e.g. I'm struck by the bulging secondaries in the OP's photos, which - from the books - are a feature that looks better for crested goshawk?

 

[mzwebby]

The reason I leaned toward Crested Goshawk initially was primarily that I have observed this species in the area before, when it showed prominent and puffy white "fluff" around the vent/foot area, and was performing characteristic in-flight display. Given that it is probably too early for migrants here I thought that Crested Goshawk (a summer resident) would be more likely, though I don't know the status of Besra in the area and it may be a resident as well.

Here are a few more (bad) photos of the same bird in case they are of any additional help.
Mike

 

[andyb39]

Besra for me - 5-fingered hand (well, it would be if it wasn't in moult) and tail bands of equal width.

 

[johnallcock]

I'd say Besra as well. It doesn't look bulky enough for Crested Gos, wing shape looks better (slightly longer and more pointed than the rounded wings of Crested) and the tail shape looks better (slightly more square, not as rounded at the corners). Of course, the moult makes some of these features a bit tricky on this bird.

I think Besra should be resident in Guangxi, so time of year isn't a problem. Observations in Hong Kong suggest that they are often a bit easier to see in late summer (August-September) and may start dispersing away from breeding sites into other locations.