Nicobar Sparrowhawk
Tachyspiza butleri
Small raptor with short wings. Male is gray above with thin brown barring on the pale underparts, and a black tail tip. Female is browner overall. Similar to Shikra, but Nicobar Sparrowhawk is smaller and paler, and has no tail bands. Known to be shy; sticks to treetops in forested habitats. Limited range restricted to a few of the Nicobar Islands.
Identification
The Nicobar sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza butleri) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. There are two subspecies, the nominate race which is found on Car Nicobar in the north of the archipelago, and T. b. obsoleta, from Katchal and Camorta in the central part of the Nicobars. A museum specimen originally attributed to this species from the island of Great Nicobar was later found to be a misidentified Besra. This species was formerly classified in the genus Accipiter. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Taxonomy
Genus: Tachyspiza; Family: Accipitridae; Order: Accipitriformes.
- Scientific name
- Tachyspiza butleri
- Authority
- (Gurney, JH Jr, 1898)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Tachyspiza
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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