The Shikra is a common breeding resident and one of our most numerous birds of prey. Like all the hawks, the females are considerably larger than the males. Added to this there is some plumage variation, particularly in the juvenile plumage, which can extend for nearly two years and which is very different from the adults, with heavy streaking below.

Shikras occur in any sort of country with trees. They are a familiar site in the parks and housing colonies as well as agricultural land with scattered trees. They hunt a regular beat, flying low and fast through the trees in search of small birds, mammals, such as palm squirrels, and reptiles, particularly lizards. Often the first sign of their presence is the alarm calls of their potential prey. They also sit on concealed perches watching for prey and probably catch most of their reptile prey from such positions. They are noisy birds with a loud Black Drongo-like “kitou kitou” call, especially in the breeding season. They nest from March to June, so the hatching corresponds with the flush of passerine young.

Early on in the breeding season, both sexes, but particularly the male, engage in a slow soaring flight over their territory to proclaim their occupation. At this time it is easier to get an idea of the true abundance of the species. Shikras also occur in central Asia and tropical Africa.