Jv. Raptor - Kithulgala, Sri Lanka (1 Viewer)

[kusaltmunasinghe]

These were taken some time back, around the same location in Kithulgala, Sri Lanka. (pics 1,2&3 in the morning & pic 4 in the afternoon. I believe they are the same bird but I could be wrong.) Please help with the identification.

 

[andyb39]

Juvenile Shikra.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Yes, a juvenile Shikra as Andy says, the combination of grey orbital ring, narrow black tail bars (narrower than pale bars) thick tarsi and extensive uniform black teardrop markings to underparts, the latter typical of SL juveniles, excludes Besra. Juvenile Besra has a yellow orbital ring, tail bars of equal width and slimmer tarsi, while the underpart markings, though variable, tend to be browner with more spotting, the black teardrops resricted to centre of breast and the sides are distinctly barred.

Graha

 

[kusaltmunasinghe]

Thank you Andy, Grahame & Bewick. Special thank for the detailed explanation. This is immensely helpful.