Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Tachyspiza badia
Family: Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks · Status: Vagrant · Size: 30–36 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Resident in Africa, central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Indochina; Indochinese birds migrate south in winter, reaching the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.
Juvenile birds are similar to Japanese Sparrowhawk and Besra. From juvenile Japanese Sparrowhawk, key differences include the proportionally longer tail, more rounded wings, often thicker and longer mesial stripe, and grey (not yellow) eyering. Juvenile Besra has broader dark undertail bands and a yellow (not grey) orbital ring. Adult male has red iris, orange-barred underparts, and plain grey upperparts with black wingtips; central tail feathers unbarred. Adult female similar but has yellow iris and browner upperparts. Differs from Chinese Sparrowhawk by having five fingers (vs. four) and broader, more rounded wings.
In Singapore, most likely to be observed migrating over raptor watch sites during fall migration.