Shikra

Shikra

             Introduction of Shikra

           Shikra (Scientific name : Accipiter badius) is a small, but powerful predator bird. It is included in the family Accipitridae.  It is also known as Little Banded Goshawk, Indian Sparrowhawk and Little Banded Sparrowhawk. Family Acciopitridae, also includes Eagles, Hawks, kites and Osprey.

                How to Identify Shikra

          Shikra  is a small raptor bird. Length is around 26-30 cm. Weight of male is 100–193 gm and of  female 130–266 gm. It has  short broad wings and a long tail that helps them with balance during hunting.Wingspan of male 48–56 cm  and of female 56–68 cm. The normal flight of this species is a characteristic "flap – flap – glide". A common, widespread resident across Asia and Africa.
         Males and females look alike but female is larger than the male. Adult males have a reddish iris, upperparts are blue gray and underparts has fine brownish-orange barring . Iris of females are yellowish  and upperparts are brownish gray . Both the male and female have narrow dark barring on the tail. Shikra have strong legs with sharp talons and a sharp, hooked beak, Young Shikra is browner with a prominent moustachial stripe and white, spotted with brown underparts. The Shikra has a unique flying pattern, rapid wing strokes and a swooping glide below the tree levels and glide up to perch. It hunts for a wide variety of prey in woodland, savannah, and even suburban gardens, dashing out from perches within vegetation to grab its prey.

                     Distribution

         The Shikra has six subspecies which are distributed from India to Africa. The coloring, size and prey  varies with the subspecies.  Average life expectancy is from 2.5–7 years.
      Subspecies of Shikra are as bellow
   Accipiter badius sphenurus  are found in Senegal, Gambia, E to SW Arabia, S to N Democratic Republic of the Congo and N Tanzania.
   Accipiter badius polyzonoides  are found in S Democratic Republic of the Congo  and S Tanzania to C Namibia and N South Africa.
    Accipiter badius cenchroides are available in  Armenia, SE Azerbaijan and Iran E to Kazakhstan, W Pakistan, NW India and extreme W Tibet, which migrate farther S in winter.
    Accipiter badius dussumieri are found in E Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, much of India (except N & SW) and Bangladesh.
    Accipiter badius badius are found in SW India and Sri Lanka.
    Accipiter badius poliopsis are found in Myanmar and S China to Thailand, Vietnam and, perhaps mainly in winter, Sumatra.

                    Habits and Habitats

        Shikras are found in woodlands, savannas, sub tropical, tropical areas and even in populated areas. These little hawks attack from the branches of trees or from flight as their vision is very acute, eight times more than the human being. They are found in woodlands, savannas, sub tropical, tropical areas and even in populated areas.
       Shikra has a typical flying pattern with rapid wing strokes and a swooping glide below the tree levels and glide up to perch. It hunts  only during the day.
               Food
    The main food of Shikra are lizards, dragonflies, small birds and mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects  and squirrels. It's hunting areas are woodland, savanna, and even suburban gardens.

           Breeding and Nesting

        Shikras are very vocal during breeding season. Their call is a loud warning Ki..Keee...Ki...Keeee. to crows which come close by to the nesting trees. They make the  nest  with loosely arranged twigs, lined with grass and roots usually in a large Mango or Mahogany tree. Female lays three or sometimes four eggs which are bluish white, speckled or spotted with grey. Both the parents take part in  nesting and chick rearing activities. But incubation is done by only the female bird while the male guards any intruders. The incubation is 28-30 days. The fledging period is about 30-35 days. The young birds remain in the parents habitat for the first year of their life.