Shikra

Identification

The shikra is a small raptor measuring 26–30 cm in length, characterized by short rounded wings and a narrow, somewhat long tail. Adults display whitish underparts with fine rufous barring, while upperparts are grey. Males have a distinctive red iris, whereas females possess a less vibrant yellowish-orange iris and brownish upperparts with heavier barring below. Females are slightly larger than males. The throat bears a dark but narrow mesial stripe. In flight, males reveal light wing linings with blackish wing tips when viewed from below; from above, tail bands are faintly marked on lateral feathers and lack the strong marking seen in the Eurasian sparrowhawk. The central tail feathers remain unbanded except for a dark terminal band. Juveniles display dark streaks and spots on the upper breast with narrowly barred wings and dark, narrow tail bands. The shikra's distinctive two-note call—"pee-wee," with the first note higher and the second longer—is characteristic, though calls in flight become shorter and sharper as "kik-ki...kik-ki."

Range & Habitat

The shikra is widely distributed across Asia and Africa, with six recognized subspecies occupying distinct regions. The African forms may represent separate species but are typically considered subspecies. In Asia, populations range from southwest India and Sri Lanka through central India and Bangladesh to south China, Indochina, and northern Sumatra, with populations also found in the Caucasus, central Asia, and northwest India. African subspecies are distributed from Senegal and Gambia through southwest Arabia to southern Africa. The species occupies diverse habitats including forests, farmland, and urban areas, demonstrating considerable adaptability. The Indian population inhabits plains and lower hills, reaching elevations up to 1,400 meters in the Himalayas.

Behaviour & Diet

Shikras are typically observed singly or in pairs, employing a characteristic flap-and-glide flight style. During breeding season, pairs soar on thermals and stoop at each other, their flight patterns frequently alarming smaller birds and squirrels. The species feeds on rodents, squirrels, small birds, small reptiles (primarily lizards, occasionally small snakes), and insects. Small birds often escape by diving through foliage, while babblers have been observed rallying together to drive away hunting shikras. Additional prey includes emerging winged termites, small bats hunted at dusk, and rarely, carrion. The shikra's calls are notably imitated by drongos, a behavior thought to aid food theft by alarming birds that associate the calls with predator presence.

Best Time & Places to See It

The shikra's wide distribution across multiple subspecies means that optimal viewing times and locations vary by region. In India, the breeding season from March to June offers good viewing opportunities as pairs engage in conspicuous soaring and stooping displays. The species' presence in both urban and rural environments makes it accessible to observers in various habitat types across its range. Northern populations of subspecies cenchroides are migratory, while African and Asian populations show varying degrees of migratory or nomadic behavior, influencing seasonal availability in specific locations.

Photography Tips

Photographers should focus on capturing the shikra's distinctive aerial displays, particularly during breeding season when pairs soar and interact conspicuously on thermals. The sexual dimorphism—males with bright red iris and lighter coloring versus females with yellowish-orange iris and darker upperparts—offers compositional opportunities. Underwing patterns are distinctive when the bird is photographed from below in flight, showing the characteristic light wing linings and blackish tips. The shikra's tail pattern, with faintly marked lateral feathers and unbanded central feathers, provides identifying features best captured with side or slightly above-angle positioning. Patient observation in varied habitats from urban to forest settings increases encounter opportunities with this adaptable raptor.