Besra is an Indian Bird with the scientific name "Accipiter virgatus" and is a bird of prey from the family of Accipitridae.
Concentration of Besra
Besra is a widespread resident breeder in dense forests throughout southern Asia, ranging from the Indian subcontinent eastwards across Southeast Asia and into East Asia. It nests in trees, building a new nest each year. It lays 2 to 5 eggs.
Structure of Besra
Besra is a medium-sized raptor (29 to 36 cm) with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptive to fast manoeuvring. The normal flight of this species is a characteristic "flap-flap-glide", and the barred under wings are a distinction from the shikra. A Besra is like a darker version of the widespread shikra, but all plumages have a dark vertical throat stripe. The adult male besra has dark blue-grey upperparts, and is white, barred reddish below. The larger female is browner than the male. The juvenile is dark brown above and white, barred with brown below. It has a barred tail.
Hunting of Besra
In winter, Besra will emerge into more open woodland including savannah and cultivation. Its hunting technique is similar to other small hawks such as the sparrow hawk and the sharp-shinned hawk, relying on surprise as it flies from a hidden perch or flicks over a bush to catch its prey unaware. The preys of Besra are lizards, dragonflies, small birds and mammals.
