How to identify the Shikra

To correctly identify the Shikra (Accipiter badius), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

26-35 cm

Wingspan

50-65 cm

Weight

Male: 75-130 g, Female: 100-170 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adult males have a grey back, pale underparts with fine rufous barring, and rufous thighs. The tail is grey with broad dark bands. Adult females are similar but often browner on the back and have slightly coarser barring on the underparts. Juveniles are browner above, with streaked underparts and a more prominent supercilium.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Short, strongly hooked, dark grey to black with a yellow cere.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Adults have deep red to reddish-orange eyes. Juveniles have yellowish eyes.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Yellow to orange-yellow.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Relatively short, rounded wings and a long tail. The flight pattern is characteristic: several rapid wing beats followed by a short glide. In flight, the underwing coverts are white, contrasting with darker flight feathers. The broad dark tail bands are also distinctive.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles have browner upperparts, often with pale feather edgings giving a scaled appearance. Underparts are heavily streaked with dark brown, particularly on the breast and flanks, rather than barred. The eyes are yellowish, gradually turning orange and then red with age. They often show a more prominent pale supercilium.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage variations are primarily age and sex-related.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Females are generally larger and heavier than males, and often slightly browner on the back with coarser barring on the underparts. Eye color is typically redder in males.

Key field marks

• Size and Shape. Small, slender raptor with relatively short, rounded wings and a long tail. Females are noticeably larger than males.
• Plumage (Adult Male). Grey upperparts, pale underparts with fine rufous barring, rufous thighs, and a grey tail with broad dark bands. Red eyes.
• Plumage (Adult Female). Similar to male but often browner on the back and with slightly coarser barring on the underparts. Reddish-orange eyes.
• Plumage (Juvenile). Browner upperparts with pale feather edgings, heavily streaked (not barred) underparts, yellowish eyes, and often a pale supercilium.
• Flight Pattern. Distinctive 'flap-flap-glide' flight with rapid wing beats followed by a short glide on flat wings. Agile and swift.
• Underwing Pattern. White underwing coverts contrasting with darker flight feathers, visible in flight.
• Vocalization. Sharp, high-pitched 'tiu-whit, tiu-whit' or 'kik-kik-kik' calls.

Explore the Shikra