Shikra

[Mrudul Godbole]

Took this photograph in Hasserghatta. It was perched on a small bush near by our vehicle.Hand held.

Please do post any behaviour information about the bird if available.

Canon 50D, 100-400 IS USM, f 5.6, ISO 200, 1/1000

Comments and Critiques welcome..

[AB Apana]

This is a male Shikra (Accipiter badius).

The Ali-Ripley number is 137 and they list several subspecies, but this is most likely dussumieri.

The Hindi name is Shikra though the female (which has less barring on the underparts) could be called a Chipka or Cheepak.

Uses ambush tactics when hunting, either pouncing from a tree, or stampeding small flocks of birds from thickets.

Usual calls titu-titu (GM Henry lists a prologed scream as iheeya, iheeya). During courtship a double ti-tui. Breeds March to June, in an untidy crow-like nest.

You can listen to a shikra calling in the background in this video:

http://vimeo.com/4980876

Apana

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Great shot. Apana, sure it's a shikra?!:confused: Here's my ID and info:
LONG LEGGED BUZZARD
It is sometimes confused with Imm. Brahminy Kite, but the latter has a more whitish front.
Colour shades of this buzzard are variable. Usually a sluggish bird, indulging in aerobatic displays when breeding. Waits near forest fires to catch escaping animals :) !
Please confirm id though, none of the buzzards nor the shikra in my book have red eyes!

[AB Apana]

This is way out of range for the Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus). Here is a link to one of my shikra images, but I am open to correction.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Cn9at4Drrk/SPv-86EtwmI/AAAAAAAAAzM/_994yKkaCKw/s1600-h/_MG_0241.jpg

Apana

[Kiran Ghadge]

For me it looks like Shikra...
Nice image Mrudul.....
for red eye see here
http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=852&Bird_Image_ID=24750&Bird_Family_ID=&p=14
http://www.naturestrands.com/gallery2/d/385-3/CR2_Shikra_Nagarhole.jpg

[Murugan Anantharaman]

Nice image Mrudul...i feel the PP has enhanced the colors and makes the image a tad too bright....maybe toning down a bit would be better i feel.

[AB Apana]

Just to clarify:

The distribution maps in Kazmierczak show very few occurances of Buteo rufinus in Karnataka. The Upland Buzzard, as its name implies, Buteo bemilasius has very few occurances in India, and at that mostly in Nepal. The Common Buzzard Buteo buteohas very few occurances in Karnataka, but winters in Kerala. The last of Kazmierczak's buzzards, the White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa has distinctive facial markings and the white eye.

Ali-Ripley list the Shikra as having a golden or orange-yellow iris.

One could also compare the images on orientalbirdimages.org. I would have done it but I am travelling tomorrow and thus a bit pressed for time.

Apana

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Yes, I agree it may be a shikra of a race not mentioned in my book. But still, contrary to what Apana mentioned, my Salim Ali ed.13 says Buteo Rufinus does occur in the entire peninsula including Karnataka and part of Kerala, it doesn't say it is rare in these regions.

[Rahul Parekh]

beautiful capture, Mrudul :). I loved the perching and the expression very much...

All best wishes,

Cheers, Rahul

[Mrudul Godbole]

Thanks all for the comments and the feedback.