Shikra
Tachyspiza badia
Due to their sharp agility and trainability, Shikras were historically the most popular choice for falconry in India.
- Scientific name
- Tachyspiza badia
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Accipitriformes › Accipitridae › Tachyspiza
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Open woodlands, savannahs, agricultural areas, urban parks, and gardens.
- Diet
- Lizards, small birds, rodents, frogs, and large insects.
- Range
- Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Size
- Length: 26-36 cm; Wingspan: 50-70 cm; Weight: 100-260 g
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years in the wild
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Pesticide bioaccumulation, habitat fragmentation, and collisions with man-made structures.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and highly wary of humans. Observe from a safe distance of 15+ meters using binoculars to avoid disrupting its hunting. If you find an injured bird or grounded fledgling, do not handle it directly without thick gloves; contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. In the rare event of a scratch or bite, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice.
The shikra ( Tachyspiza badia ) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found widely distributed in Asia and Africa where it is also called the little banded goshawk . The African forms may represent a separate species but have usually been considered as subspecies of the shikra. The shikra is very similar in appearance, as well as behavior, at least to some degree, to other species including the Chinese sparrowhawk ( Accipiter soloensis ), Eurasian goshawk ( Astur
Photo: Jan Willem Steffelaar, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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