Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Tachyspiza virgata
Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 26–32 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Resident or partial migrant in southwestern India and the Himalayas east to southern China and Indochina. Migratory patterns poorly known. Other resident populations occur in the Philippines, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Lesser Sundas.
Most Singapore records are of juveniles, which are most likely to be confused with Japanese Sparrowhawk and Shikra. Compared to juvenile Japanese Sparrowhawk, juvenile Besra has thicker dark undertail bands (visible when tail is spread), longer tail, more rounded wings, smaller head relative to body, and usually fewer primary bars. The yellow orbital ring and broader dark undertail bands separate it from juvenile Shikra. Adult plumages recall the Crested Goshawk, which is larger, shows six fingers in flight, and has more rounded wings. Male has cinnamon-rufous breast with a prominent dark mesial stripe; female is similar but is usually browner above.
In Singapore, most likely to be seen migrating over raptor watch sites.