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SPECIES PROFILE
Shikra (Accipiter badius)
Accipiter
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Open woodlands urban areas scrub
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Accipitriformes
FAMILY
Accipitridae
GENUS
Accipiter
📋 Description
SIZE
30-36 cm long 80-150 g
COLORATION
Grey upperparts white underparts barred chest red eyes
ADAPTATIONS
Short rounded wings for agile forest hunting
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open woodlands urban areas scrub
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-5 eggs in tree nests incubated 18-21 days
DIET DETAILS
Small birds lizards insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss human conflict
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Forest Hawks: Shikras swoop with 120-gram bodies catching 30 grams of prey daily in Rajasthan's woodlands. Their red eyes are piercing.
2
Urban Predators: These hawks cover 3000 sq km in Delhi's parks nesting in tall trees. Urban sprawl affects their hunting grounds.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Delhi
Sultanpur National Park in Haryana
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Open woodlands ensure visibility for spotting shikras
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Spot shikras perched high scanning for prey
