Besra (Accipiter virgatus) is a medium-sized raptor of about 29 to 36 cm, which breeds in dense forests throughout south Asia from India to south China and Indonesia.
It resembles a darker version of the widespread Shikra. The bird’s plumages have a dark vertical throat stripe. The adult male has a dark blue-gray top with a whitish barred reddish bottom. Female has browner upperparts than the male. Young ones are dark brown above and white, barred with brown below. It has a barred tail.
The bird feeds on lizards, dragonflies and small birds and mammals.
Besra can be seen in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan.
