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From Wikipedia

Shikra Accipiter badius (Gmelin, 1788)

Conservation status
Least Concern

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Accipiter
Species: A. badius

The Shikra is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

The Shikra is a widespread resident breeder throughout south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. It nests in trees, building a new nest each year. It lays 3-7 eggs.

This bird is a small raptor (26-30cm) with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to fast manoeuvring. The normal flight of this species is a characteristic "flap – flap – glide".

The adult Shikra has pale grey upperparts, and is white, finely barred reddish below. Sexes are similar except that female is larger than the male. The juvenile is brown above and white, spotted with brown below. It has a barred tail.

Shikra is a bird of open woodland including savannah and cultivation. Its hunting technique is similar to other small hawks relying on surprise as it flies from a hidden perch or flicks over a bush to catch its prey unaware.

The prey is lizards, dragonflies, and small birds and mammals.

Got this shot just outside of Lowersabie camp near the bridge.

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A friend of mine spotted this Shikra on his bird cage in his garden in Blairgowrie, Randburg about a half an hour ago.



Some people have all the luck!

I once found one sitting on a lamp post just around the corner of my house in Pretoria. Very interesting sighting that, Imax.

Pretoria, 2006.

This little guy was building a nest on the berg n Dal road 1,4km from the turn off not even 10m from the road if anyone is passing that way. some help needed to ID please

This little guy was building a nest on the berg n Dal road 1,4km from the turn off not even 10m from the road if anyone is passing that way. some help needed to ID please

Shikra (In the 2nd photo you can see its red eye which distiguishes the shikra from the little sparrowhawk. In the 1st photo when the tail is spread it is barred but in the 2nd photo when the tail is closed it appears plain which is indicative of a shikra )

The closest I ever got to a shikra (26 June 2010 - close to Mopani)

Great shot!

Pafuri, January 2011


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