Besra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Besra |
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| Besra Sparrowhawk at Waththegama, Sri Lanka | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Accipiter
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| Species: |
virgatus
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| Global range Year-Round Range Summer Range Winter Range | |
The besra (scientific name: Accipiter virgatus), also known as the besra sparrowhawk, is a fascinating bird of prey. It belongs to the Accipitridae family, which includes many types of hawks, eagles, and kites. This bird is found across a wide area in southern and eastern Asia.
Besras live in dense forests. They are "resident breeders," meaning they stay in the same area all year round and raise their young there. They build new nests in trees every year. A female besra usually lays between 2 and 5 eggs.
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About the Besra Sparrowhawk
The besra is a medium-sized bird, usually measuring about 29 to 36 centimeters (11 to 14 inches) long. It has short, wide wings and a long tail. These features help it fly quickly and turn easily through thick trees. When it flies, it often makes a special "flap–flap–glide" movement.
What Does a Besra Look Like?
The besra looks a bit like the common shikra bird, but it's usually darker. Its upper body is darker, and the feathers under its wings have strong bar patterns. It also has a wider stripe on its throat and thin, long legs and toes.
An adult male besra has dark blue-grey feathers on its upper body. Its underside is white with reddish-brown bars. The female besra is larger than the male and has browner feathers on her upper body. Young besras are dark brown on top and white with brown bars underneath. All besras have 3 to 4 dark bands of equal size on their upper tail feathers.
Where Do Besras Live and Hunt?
Besras are found in dense forests across southern Asia. Their range stretches from the Indian subcontinent all the way east through Southeast Asia and into East Asia.
In the colder months, besras sometimes move to more open areas. This can include woodlands like savannahs or even farmlands. Their hunting style is similar to other small hawks, such as the Eurasian sparrowhawk or the sharp-shinned hawk. They like to surprise their prey. A besra might fly out from a hidden spot or quickly dart over a bush to catch an animal that doesn't see it coming.
What Do Besras Eat?
The besra's diet includes a variety of small animals. They hunt lizards, dragonflies, and small birds. They also catch small mammals.
Besra Taxonomy: How Scientists Classify Them
The besra was first described by Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1822. Scientists recognize several different types, or subspecies, of the besra. These subspecies are found in various parts of Asia, from the Himalayas to islands like Sumatra and the Philippines. Each subspecies has slight differences, often based on where they live.
