Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)

Besra (Accipiter virgatus) - HBW 2, p. 155

French: Épervier besra German: Besrasperber Spanish: Gavilán Besra
Other common names: Besra Sparrowhawk

Taxonomy: Falco virgatus Temminck, 1822, Java.
Has been considered to include A. gularis, with which probably forms superspecies, perhaps also including A. nanus. Eleven subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • affinis (Hodgson, 1836) - N India and Nepal E to C & S China, and Indochina.
  • fuscipectus Mees, 1970 - mountains of Taiwan.
  • besra Jerdon, 1839 - SW India and Sri Lanka; probably also SE India.

     See all 11 subspecies
  • affinis (Hodgson, 1836) - N India and Nepal E to C & S China, and Indochina.
  • fuscipectus Mees, 1970 - mountains of Taiwan.
  • besra Jerdon, 1839 - SW India and Sri Lanka; probably also SE India.
  • abdulali Mees, 1980 - Andaman Is, and possibly Nicobar Is.
  • nisoides Blyth, 1847 - Burma and Thailand; possibly also Malay Peninsula.
  • confusus Hartert, 1910 - Luzon, Mindoro, Negros and Catanduanes (N & E Philippines).
  • quagga Parkes, 1973 - Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Siquijor and Mindanao (SE Philippines).
  • rufotibialis Sharpe, 1887 - N Borneo.
  • vanbemmeli Voous, 1950 - Sumatra.
  • virgatus Temminck, 1822 - Java and Bali.
  • quinquefasciatus Mees, 1984 - Flores (Lesser Sundas).