Shikra

A bird of prey that likes to occupy high vantage point such as leafy branch from where it can swoop down and catch its prey. Avoids heavy forest preferring more open wooded country often the groves of large trees near habiration. Flies close to the ground with rapid wing beats. The diet consists of smaller birds as well as squirrels mice and lizards. Shikra is a small hawk with pale grey head and white under parts barried with orange brown. The larger female has brown wash to upper parts and yellow eyes instead of red. The juvenile is brown above and white below with brown spots. It has a loud call.