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Besra - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 12:53, 4 August 2009 by Deliatodd-18346 (talk | contribs) (Attempt to disguise some copied text. Taxonomy. References)
Photo by Joe Pan
Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Accipiter virgatus

Identification

29-36cm

  • Ashy blue-grey upperparts
  • White below crossed barred with rusty brown
  • Dark vertical throat stripe
  • Short broad wings
  • Long tail

Female is larger and has browner upperparts
Juvenile: dark brown upperparts

  • White underparts, barred brown
  • Barred tail

Distribution

South Asia from Pakistan and India to south China and Indonesia.

Taxonomy

Subspecies[1]

There are 11 subspecies:

  • A. v. affinis:
  • A. v. fuscipectus:
  • A. v. besra:
  • A. v. abdulali:
  • A. v. nisoides:
  • A. v. confusus:
  • A. v. quagga:
  • Philippines (Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Siquijor and Mindanao)
  • A. v. rufotibialis:
  • A. v. vanbemmeli:
  • A. v. virgatus:
  • A. v. quinquefasciatus:

Habitat

Dense montane forests; in winter open woodland (preferably with large trees) including groves, savanna and cultivated areas.

Behaviour

Breeding

It nests in trees, building a new nest each year; 2-5 eggs are laid.

Diet

The diet includes small birds and dragonflies, lizards and mammals.

References

  1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
  2. AvianWeb
  3. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links


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