The besra (Accipiter virgatus), also called besra sparrowhawk, is a medium-sized raptor which belongs to the family Accipitridae. It inhabits dense forests throughout southern Asia from the Indian subcontinent eastwards across Southeast Asia into East Asia. It is grayish brown with a gray head and neck, pale underparts, and a distinctive dark vertical throat stripe. It has yellow to orange-red eyes and yellow feet. The female is larger, more powerful and darker than the male. Both males and females have 3 to 4 equi-sized dark bands on the uppertail. Its call is a loud ‘ki wee’.
This raptor preys on lizards, dragonflies, small birds and mammals. During the winter, the besra will emerge from its forest cover to more open woodland including cultivated lands. It ambushes its prey by darting from an unseen perch and grabs it mid-air, on a tree or off the ground. It is found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, central and south China, Indonesia and the Philippines.
It builds its nest from twigs and leaves in a well-concealed tree. Both the male and female birds take part in its construction. The female lays around 2 to 5 eggs. Its incubation time is 23 to 39 days. It is listed under ‘Least Concern’ in the IUCN Red List.
Picture Credit : Google
