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Shikra (female)
Accipiter badius
12.2327, 79.0718
Field Notes
Description:
The Shikra (Accipiter badius) 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 Shikra is very similar in appearance to other sparrowhawk species including the Chinese Goshawk and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. They have a sharp two note call and have the typical flap and glide flight. Their calls are imitated by drongos and the Common Hawk-Cuckoo resembles it in plumage.
The breeding season in India is in summer from March to June. The nest is a platform similar to that of crows lined with grass. Both sexes help build the nest, twigs being carried in their feet. Like crows, they may also make use of metal wires. The usual clutch is 3 to 4 eggs (when eggs are removed they lay replacements and one observer noted that they could lay as many as 7 in a season which are pale bluish grey stippled on the broad end in black. The incubation period is 18 to 21 days.
SOURCE: Wikipedia
Notes:
I just heard a terrible screeching noise, and went outside to look. Found the big grey bird that has been building a nest in my neem tree, has a mate, and I caught them mating. It's the first time I have seen her, so I guess the nest is complete and they have moved in!
She is looking a little ruffled as the photo was taken just after mating!
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