Immature Chinese Goshawk or Immature Besra?

[Tonji Ramos]

We thought this bird, photographed in Negros in Sept. was an immature Chinese Goshawk.

But someone told us it is an immature Besra.

I've searched for pictures on the net but I can't make a determination. Maybe one of the experts can help out.

There are a bunch of pics in this link.

tonjiandsylviasbirdlist.smugmug.com/Other/PLS-ID/8133618_hsBGFQ#!i=1671072270&k=5qnsDjs

[paulbourdin]

An interesting looking bird. You have correctly identified what I feel are the two candidates. Juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk and Besra.

The case for Besra I feel is mainly the strength of the throat-stripe, which is striking, particularly the second photograph, but note "juveniles of Japanese, Chinese and especially Shikra also all have a throat stripe" and "juveniles of all these four species often unreliably distinguishable in the field"

The case for Chinese Sparrowhawk is a bit more substantive. My text refers to "head darker and often slate-tinged" (Besra has "rufous cheeks"), legs "yellow to orange yellow" (Besra has "greenish-yellow to yellow" legs).

On balance I'd go for Chinese Sparrowhawk, but wouldn't stake much on it!

All quotes from Raptors of the World by Ferguson-Lees & Christie.

[Tonji Ramos]

Thanks Paul.

Phil Round came to the same conclusion. Here is his explanation if you are interested.

Hi, Sylvia,

You were correct the first time. This is a juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk
(Chinese Goshawk if you prefer). The bird has a dark grey orbital ring
(it is bright yellow in Besra); it has a quite bright (orange-yellow
rather than lemon-yellow) and rather bulbous cere that is also
characteristic of Chinese. It has got a long primary projection (long,
pointed wings). Another feature (maybe not obvious in the photos as
this difference is very slight) is that the tarsi are slightly
(proportionately) shorter, thicker than in most related species.

Philip Round