Shikra

Sylvester Alphonso

This bird belongs to the hawk family often referred as little banded goshawk or Indian sparrow hawk, it is closely related to eagles and harriers. The word shikra means hunter in hindi language. The male is called chipak or chipka based on call. The word shikra is borrowed from urdu word which is derived from the word shikari meaning hunter. This bird of prey is native to asia and Africa, it feeds on small birds, rodents, squirrels, lizards, frogs, and large insects. An ambush prediator it hunts by swooping down from concealed perches to explore their exact diet and hunting habits.