Besra or Shikra, Taiwan (2 Viewers)

[wuwu1277]

Hi,: This photo was taken at mountains in Central Taiwan this week. I think it is a Besra, however a senior birder advised this is a Shikra because tail bands of Besra much thicker and not so numerous. I tried to submit e-bird checklist and found Shikra is rare for this week in Taiwan. Can you pls kindly advise the ID features for this raptor? Thank you very much in advance

 

[THE_FERN]

Do the finely barred thighs point to crested goshawk?

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Do the finely barred thighs point to crested goshawk?

Precisely, it is a Crested Goshawk, note 6 fingers (versus 5 in Besra and Shikra) and wingshape; short, rounded hand and very rounded secondaries pinched in at base Undertail shows 4-5 dark bars ML91272001 - Crested Goshawk - Macaulay Library Also note strong bill and finely barred thighs, feathering extending down tarsus mentioned by THE_FERN.

 

[wuwu1277]

Dear both: well noted with many thanks!

 

[johnallcock]

Has Shikra even been recorded in Taiwan before? It's extremely rare in nearby areas of mainland China, just reaching western Guangdong and a few vagrant records further northeast. The first for Hong Kong was only a year or two ago.

For the record, I agree that this looks best for a Crested Goshawk