Besra
1. Bird Name
The bird in focus is the Besra, known scientifically as Accipiter virgatus.
2. Appearance
This medium-sized bird of prey has sleek a deep blue back and wings coupled with a predominantly white underside. It features horizontal bands of brown and gray on its chest. You’ll notice the Besra has a strong, short beak that curves downwards, ideal for its predatory lifestyle. A sharp, piercing yellow eye sets off the darker feathers around its face. It also possesses long, powerful, yellow legs that end in frighteningly sharp talons. The tail is quite long and typically displays bands. Besra does not exhibit sexual dimorphism – the males look much the same as the females.
3. Size
A mature Besra tends to range from 26–36 cm (10-14 inches) in length. Its wingspan lays between 50–80 cm (~20–31 inches). On average, these birds weigh from 80 to 200 grams (2.8 to 7.1 ounces).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Besras are primarily found in the dense forested areas of Southern and Eastern Asia, more prevalent in countries like India, China, South Korea, and Indonesia. Their preferred habitats are forests, wooded hillsides, and shady lower tree canopies, as well as mangroves and derived secondary forests.
5. Interesting Facts
The Besra has a remarkable adaptability in terms of migration. Populations in Northern areas often move south during the winter, passing through a vast area of Southeast Asia. As stealth hunters, Besras are known for their ‘surprise’ hunting style: they silently glide close to the ground to catch their prey off-guard. Local communities regard Besra as a symbol of agility and speed, spectating and revering its hunting prowess.
6. Diet
Besras feast primarily on smaller birds, but they are also known to eat insects, frogs, and small mammals such as squirrels and rodents.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Besras usually nest on tall trees and mature ones are ruthless when protecting their young ones. They fly in a distinctive ‘flap-flap-glide’ pattern when not hunting. When they vocalize, it offers a high-pitched, sharp kii-kii-kii sound which is usually heard when they are feeling alarmed or agitated.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Besra is currently classified as of ‘Least Concern,’ – it does not currently face any significant threat of extinction.
9. Lifespan
Besras typically live up to 10 years in the wild, but with good care, they have been known to reach 15 years in captivity.
10. Additional Notes
The Besra plays a unique role in controlling the population of smaller birds and mammals in its territories. In local languages, this bird is often known as the ‘blue hawk’ alluding to its striking colors. Despite its reputation as a fierce predator, they rarely interact with humans unless their nests are disturbed. Their importance in the ecosystem is so crucial that communities around their habitats have customs discouraging harming these birds.
